80 years ago …

Dear editor:

Recently, I reached the apex of my life: 80 years! That means I was born before penicillin, polio shots, plastic, frozen foods, contact lenses and television. I was also born before radar, dishwashers, air conditioners, computers, pantyhose, ballpoint pens, cellphones and before men walked on the moon.

I thought fast food was breakfast when I was running late for school and outer space was the screen at the Roxy Theater on Hobson. I was born in a generation that believed in marriage first before living together; bunnies were rabbits and not centerfolds; and being gay meant joyful. I was born before daycare centers, group therapy, nursing homes, FM radio, tape decks, CD players, artificial hearts, yogurt, the pill and men wearing earrings. A chip was a piece of wood, hardware was not a gun and software wasn’t even a word.

Back when I was born, “Made in Japan” was junk and “making out” was how well I did on my school exam. Instant coffee, pizza and a “Big Mac” were unheard of. Kress and Woolworth were 5and 10-cent stores. For a quarter I could go to the Saturday theater and see two feature films, a cartoon, a chapter serial, newsreel and previews of coming attractions for a dime; a giant-size ice cream malt for 10 cents at Purity’s, and a comic book for 5 cents. In my day, for a nickel, I could ride the Central Avenue streetcar, make a phone call, have a Pepsi or mail a letter and two postcards.

A brand new Chevy could be purchased for $600, but who could afford one? That was a pity, too, since gas was only 11 cents a gallon.

In my early years, grass was what I mowed and cows ate, Coke was a cold soda and pot was a kitchen utensil. Rock music was Mom’s lullaby, and aids were the school principal’s “go-fers.” I learned the differences between the sexes in school biology, but I didn’t know anything about a change from a boy to a girl. I guess I’m part of the generation that was so dumb as to think a husband was required to have a baby … and it was all part of God’s plan anyway.

No wonder my generation was so confused. But, by the grace of God, I made it this far and Jesus Christ is my Savior!

What better reason to celebrate! Donald Cunningham Hot Springs