There is no longer a comfortable, tangible picture.
by Joyce Morrison
Have you ever thought you lived in the world of Norman Rockwell only to find the picture had changed to a Picasso modern abstract?
Below I-80 in Illinois, we have the mental picture of living where the corn grows tall and we have four seasons — each with its own individual beauty. Above I-80 is Chicago.
There was a time when almost everyone was moral – if they were not, they were called “sinners” and people cared enough to go to the altar and pray for them. You were not accused of being intolerant. You knew the difference between right and wrong.
School teachers were role models. Their lives were open books and they lived accordingly. They dressed in a manner that was respectful – and the students treated them with respect. Parents upheld the teacher and children knew what real discipline meant.
Kids didn’t dare say they were bored. Moms were very creative at finding work to be done. The only store where you could buy “junk” was the Five and Dime store. There wasn’t a huge selection and kids didn’t have money to waste so they learned to save the pennies they earned. Today’s young people think they are “due” everything they want – including cell phones, computers, I pods and cars….and the parents work two jobs to provide these “necessities.”
There was once only one car per family and gasoline was 25 cents a gallon. It was too expensive to drive the car unnecessarily. It was a simpler time because our homes were not cluttered with things we don’t need. Having three cars in the driveway was reserved for the very wealthy and there were very few who were affluent.