Hello blog, Today is William's birthday. William is my grandson and he's a thoughtful and considerate grandson to have. Funny as it is, yesterday was my other grandson's birthday. This one is also our God Son. They are brothers. The funny part is that they are nine years apart in age, but only one day apart on the day of their birth. Is that good planning or what? Hooty Haw I am sure it is just a coincidence.
I wonder why we celebrate birthdays, anyway. I guess when kids are young, moms and dads want to recognize the day their baby was born. All smiles, hugs, kisses and gifts galore accompany this happy day. Year after year, on that same day.
I think this is a fine idea. It's good when the small ones grow older, because we need a day to recognize how special our children and grandchildren are. It's the day to say, you are a flower in my life and joy just having you around.
Birthdays in general remind me of this [I guess you call it a parable or allegory]. It's titled, "How Old is Grandma?"
It's kinda perfect for a story about birthdays. Here's how it goes.
One evening a grandson in his late teens was talking to his grandmother about current events. He asked what she thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age and just things in general.
The Grandmother replied, "Well, let me think a minute." She gave his question much thought and was clearly reaching back in time, coming up with a visual picture from reminiscing the days of her life. "I was born before television," she finally revealed... and without so much as a flinch or pause, she added, "penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, Frisbees and the pill. [This grandson was old enough to know about the pill.]
"There were no credit cards, laser beams, ball-point pens." She could see with a bit of amusement that her grandson was paying close attention to this listing.
"Man had not invented pantyhose, air conditioners, dishwashers, clothes dryers (clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air) and man had not yet walked on the moon."
Now, his facial expression screamed, WHAT! as if he had just heard incredible news. As he listened to his grandmother like a sponge eager to soak up her every word, he was virtually riveted to his chair. He leaned forward to better hear what she was about to say next... She struggled for a moment to remember bygone years. "Oh, I know something else..." she said.
"Your Grandfather and I got married first,... and then lived together. Every family had a father and a mother.
"Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, 'Sir.' After I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, Sir.
"We grew up before gay-rights, computer-dating, dual careers, daycare centers and group therapy. Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment and common sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong; and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions.
"Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege... We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent.
"Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins. Draft dodgers were those who closed front doors as the evening breeze started. Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends -- not purchasing condominiums.
"We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt or guys wearing earrings. We listened to Big Bands, Jack Benny and the President's speeches on our radios. I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey. If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan ' on it, it was junk.
"The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam.... Pizza Hut, McDonald's and instant coffee were unheard of. We had 5 &10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents. Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar and a Pepsi were all a nickel. If you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards.
"You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, . .. . but who could afford one? Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon.
"You see, grandson," she continued as the corners of her mouth curled up with a slight smile, "In my day, grass was mowed, coke was a cold drink, pot was something your mother cooked in... and rock music was your grandmother's lullaby.
"Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office, chip meant a piece of wood, hardware was found in a hardware store and software wasn't even a word.
"Grandson, we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap.
Finally, she looked her grandson straight in his eyeballs, took hold of his hand and asked, "How old do you think I am, son?" The boy shrugged his shoulders because he didn't want to guess and get it wrong out of respect. A good grandson is polite and knows never to mention a lady's age [smile].
Hold on to your chair, blog, this grandma was only 59 years old. Think about that.
It's 2010. [Holly Cow]