How’s this for a turn around from the last post? Just goes to show, I am losing my mind.
One day, when I was a young boy, my father was in a conversation with another man. I don’t specifically remember what they were talking about, but I’ve never forgot something my dad said.
The man said, “They don’t make them like that anymore.” Dad replied, “Thank God.” The point being, that while some old things were great, some of the new things are greater than they ever were.
When it comes to technology, dad was right. I can start my truck without sitting inside of it. I can call my kids while driving down the road. I can fly coast to coast in five hours (as long as I remember to take my pocket knife out of my pocket before going through security). I can buy a pair of pants from the comfort of my home and have them delivered in two days. I can ask this little round thing sitting on a side table in my living room how to spell technology and get the answer faster than asking my wife! She’s actually quicker but if you throw in the “did you go to school at all?” comment, Alexia wins.
Though, on the social level, I don’t think Dad would have had the same answer. Simply put, the social make-up now-a-days is a mess. A man’s character no longer seems to mean much. For that matter, just using the word “man” can get you in trouble. “My word is my bond”, if you’re talking with someone over the age of 60. A man can be a women, a women can be a man, in some cases they can be both. The number one killer in America is abortion. Illegals have the same rights or more than legal Americans. The thought of requiring ID when you go to vote is unacceptable. I’ve called five electricians in the last five days and not one of them has called me back. Owning a gun has become the devil’s work. Gun owners are being attacked. I remember driving around with my guns on a rack behind my head in the pick-up. I don’t remember any mass shootings growing up, do you? Half or more of the country are liberal democrats. So 150 million Americans vote for democrats while the record shows that every state in the union lead by democrats has the highest crime, stickiest gun laws, most debt and more citizens living in poverty. As far as I can tell common sense is all but gone. I remember watching the nightly news with interest and trust. Now-a-days, the nightly news has taken the place of The Inquirer. If you seek the truth, you’ve truly got your work cut out for you. Then there is social media. Everyone with fingers seems to be online sharing their great knowledge. I’m one of them. If you’re not on social media then your voice is lost. You can still go to the county commissioner’s meeting if you want to, but why would you when you can sit on your ass and type out things you’d never have the courage to say face to face. That’s part of the problem, isn’t it? The keyboard warriors crack me up. They’re tough guys, aren’t they? Actually they’re just the opposite. Everybody now-a-days is an expert. That’s almost always been the case though. The internet just brings all the so called experts out.
In 1948, Grandpa told Dad to load up the truck with all the supplies to lay tile in front of Henderson’s Hardware Store in town. Dad said, “But I’ve never laid tile before,” Grandpa replied, “Just go down to the store, park out front and start unloading the supplies and don’t worry son by the time you get unloaded some smart son-of-a-bitch will come along and tell you how to do it.”
So my friends, times have changed and there’s no getting around it. Change is good, most of the time.
I do miss the time when character was important. I miss the days when a man shook your hand it was as good as any contract today. I miss the times when we were at awe when amazing things occurred. Like the time Grandpa was sitting in his wheel chair on the front porch looking up at the moon. “Whatcha looking at Grandpa?” I asked. “I can’t believe there’s a feller walking around up there right now.” He replied.
The civil discourse in our country is messed up. Whenever you get the opportunity, share some of your Grandpa stories with the kids. They may look at you like you’ve fallen off your rocker, but trust me; they’ll hear you and it just might make a small difference.