I’ve been thinking lately of how my mom or grandparents would possibly understand all the things going on in the world today. Sometimes I think I would rather have lived in their day and not have to deal with all the changes in attitudes, belief systems, politics, cyber-technology, and societal confusion.
Living in an age where everyone is offended by everything, when being right is more important than being kind, and my computer crashes – taking my precious files with it, is not for the faint of heart. I keep hearing my mom’s words in my head saying
“what is this world coming to?”
My Grandparents lived sheltered from most everything on a little farm in California.
I used to wonder why they lived such a simple disconnected life. Now I understand.
In my grandparent’s world:
Spam was something you ate from a can – the poor man’s convenience food.
Mail was something you looked forward to getting, but not every day. It meant nice Mr. McClary would stop by, hand you a letter from your cousin Margaret and a post card from Uncle Ben vacationing at the Grand Canyon. Then Mr. McClary would sit and enjoy a glass of lemonade with you. Now it’s something that clogs your “inbox” – whatever that is.
Conference Call? Well, that was when you cranked the handle on a little wooden box on the wall and Mildred, the operator, connected you with Bessie Porterfield, and then stayed on the line to listen in.
Hacked was what you did to the head of a chicken after you chased them down in the yard. It meant something good was coming for dinner. Now it’s a very bad thing.
Friending someone meant you had them over for dinner, sent them home with a jar of cherry preserves, and took a basket of baked goods over to them when they were sick. Then, of course, you would do their chores and sit and visit for a spell.
Political Correctness meant you didn’t have time to protest the election because you were too busy being patriotic by fighting in the war – and not coming home for four years straight, or not coming home at all.
Twitter was something your heart did when you saw handsome Billy Singleton sitting in the next pew at church. Googling was what he caught you doing at him when he turned around.
A mouse was the little creature Grandpa had been chasing through the kitchen for days, unable to get close enough to stomp on it.
Entitled meant you had worked very, very hard for something and you were proud to earn the reward. It meant you understood nothing automatically came to you and you never expected anything more than you earned yourself – just happy and grateful to get what you had.
Yes, I think I’d like to return to those days. If for no other reason than to get back some perspective on values, fears, communication, and life in general. I hear you, Mom…what’s this world coming to?
Ever ask yourself that question?
Keep reaching,
Jan
Laurie Klein says
November 22, 2016 at 4:43 pmJan, I feel I’ve glimpsed a slice of their lives, thank you.
Thank you, too, for drawing these comparisons with the present: witty and acutely observed, and deeply, wrenchingly, true. You stir me to remembrance of my grandparents as well as fresh resolve to bring their values forward in more compelling ways.
Jan Cline says
November 28, 2016 at 2:39 amThanks Laurie,
I think of my grandparents and parents often, wondering if they would approve not so much of the world today, but of how I interact with it. So much to reflect on.
Blessings, friend
Karen Lange says
January 10, 2017 at 11:51 pmThings really have changed, haven’t they? My husband and I were discussing this topic this past weekend. While there’s no going back, it seems like we should strive for a good balance with down to earth life and technology.
Jan Cline says
January 11, 2017 at 12:02 amHi Karen!
Yes, it’s all about balance. We have to find what works for us individually and do the best we can.
Good to hear from you!
Jan
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
May 8, 2017 at 10:02 amHi Jan – I’ve come over from Karen’s blog – congratulations on being a great-grandparent … special times. Interesting … my mother died 5 years ago and she was fascinated with the internet and particularly when I started blogging – she’d have like that; then my father’s BIL was very near here and I spent much time looking after him too (my mother was in a nursing centre for a few years – here) and he was riveted with blogging … and used to love my erratic train of thought …
I think my families were always forward looking from what I can gather and how their lives developed … but I can quite easily see the love of small and simple! Cheers and good to meet you – Hilary
Jan Cline says
May 8, 2017 at 10:28 pmThanks for stopping by, Hilary. I often long for the life of simplicity my grandparents led. I think we can all learn from the past and from those we love who lived in it. Blessings!
C. Lee McKenzie says
May 8, 2017 at 8:33 pmWe had grandparents of the same generation. I chuckled reading your post because at each word definition I heard their voices.
Great to visit your blog. Glad I stopped by.
Jan Cline says
May 8, 2017 at 10:25 pmThanks for coming over to my blog….yes, we can chuckle and wonder what terms will be way over our heads when we are elderly!! Blessings!