I am part of the “Silent Generation” or more commonly known as a Traditionalist – or those born from 1923-1945. We all have our pluses and minuses, but many of us old timers seem to think that the Newbies are on the road to destruction. I have to admit I’m one of those old Fuddy Duddys myself at times.

I grew up in an age of discovery which brought us the first automatic washing machine, the first television set and beautiful gas guzzling cars. It was a time when war was in the past, but still held the threat of possible nuclear actions. We had regular air raid drills when I was in school, where everyone would hide under their desk and cover their heads. I’m not sure how that would’ve saved us from anything, but we did it. Everyone knew all the words to the National Anthem; Coke was something you drank from a bottle; recycling meant taking that bottle back for a two cents refund.

Our entertainment consisted of going to a movie on Saturday and spending the entire day watching the same movie over and over for a quarter. I grew up with Shirley Temple and Judy Garland and experienced some of the most fabulous musicals ever to hit the screen. Of course in those days, movies weren’t rated.  They didn’t have to be.  They were melodramatic, over acted and delightfully unlike reality.  Today everything is about reality.  Who wants to be entertained by things that happen every day.  BORING!

Disposable bottles, diapers and phones were unheard of. Fast food was a sandwich we made ourselves. Our “social media” was getting together at a friend’s house to talk. or actually physically playing outdoors until it was time for lunch and supper.  We also communicated face to face, without the use of technology.  I remember calling each other on a tin can with a string.  Don’t ask.

Now us old fogies struggle with technology, and we live much longer than our predecessors. We see the mistakes that are being made in our government, in the raising of children, in education and in society as a whole. Because we’re living longer, we worry that we won’t have enough money to make it through the month.  We skimp on prescriptions so we can eat.  Our minds are still functioning, but our bodies are screaming for us to slow down.  The aged do not get the respect they deserve either.  Whatever happened to the fourth commandment? Oh, my, I sound like an old woman. Wait – I AM!

In my opinion, we should be like our forefathers and die young. Then we wouldn’t have so much time to sit around and complain about the younger generation.  In the meantime, let’s find the good in our world while there’s still some left.  The more we focus on the negative thinking of the media, the internet, the world – we become crabby, stodgy, old folks.  As long as we’re living longer, we should make the most of the rest of our lives.