Tuesday, October 6, 2009

The Good Old Days

Yesterday I walked with my friend Joni. We discussed, among many other things, how simple things were back in the days when we didn't have computers (personal ones that had internet) and cell phones. Things seemed more genuine. And, in this economy, is sure was cheaper!! I find myself missing the old days.
On snowy days, kids would stop by to see if we needed our paths or driveway shoveled.
Young kids could get a job before the age of 14 by delivering newspapers.
Families had dinner together.
People still wrote letters.
HOuses sold for what they were worth.
It seemed that more people lived within their means.
These days, I see efforts to get back to grass roots. More people are hand-making gifts. It's cool to knit. The library seems more active than ever before. No one seems too willing to spend five bucks on a cup of joe.
I'd like to see small communities come back. I live in a place where there are no shops. Available retail is used by nail salons and laudromats. YOu know what that says about my community...poor, poor, poor. When I first moved here we had a bakery, two clothing shops, a shoe store, gifts shops, a florist that sold flats of flowers for outdoor planting, hardware stores owned and operated by its owner.
I cannot change the world, but I can slowly go back in my own life. I don't need much. I do, however, need to raise my son to realize that he doesn't need much either. Otherwise, he'll be wishing for the old days of today. Yikes!!