Remember When

We travel so fast through our lives, and for some reason, it seems as though now more than ever, we find ourselves looking back at what was once our reality but now just a memory.  It is essential to grasp what was important then and hold firm to the present and future essentials.

If we look back to when we were children, we will remember some of the things we did that are no longer relevant for children today.   We actually rode in cars with no car seats, seat belts, or airbags.  If you lived even slightly close to your school, you would walk there even if the weather was terrible.  We rode bikes without helmets, elbow, or knee pads and usually had only one speed.  I look back at some of our bike crashes and wonder how we all survived!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, with no supervision, and as long as we were back home by the time the streetlights came on, there was never any panic or concern.  Some parents would yell or whistle loudly when it was time to go home.  I still remember my Dad yelling out my name throughout the neighborhood to come home for supper, and I would do just that or miss out on dinner with the family.

We drank water from the kitchen faucet or garden hose and shared soft drinks and food with friends.  No one cared about germs or passing anything on to anyone.  We ate apples off the tree, tomatoes from the plants, and filled our tummies while picking fresh berries.  We never even thought about having to thoroughly wash everything to get rid of the chemicals.  

We did not have internet, cell phones, cable tv, or social media.  The only way we could communicate with each other was to get together or make a phone call.  We wrote letters, cards, and thank you notes and sent them in the mail.  I actually drove from Minnesota to California after high school without a cell phone.  I had to find a payphone to make a call if I needed to contact my parents.  We had no fear.

All the sports had actual tryouts, and you had to prove yourself to make the team.  If you didn't, you had to learn to deal with the disappointment.  Then, you worked hard to get better if you wanted to try again.  We were taught not to quit something that we started and to follow through with our commitments.   

People tried harder to stay together in marriage because it was a commitment to each other before God, and most did not give up on that.  Very rarely did people get divorced or separated unless the circumstances were extreme.  Communicating with and understanding each other was a crucial part of the foundation to the success of a relationship. 

There are many other things that you may remember from years ago when you were growing up, but I know for sure that we have all come a long, long way, and things are very different now.  Looking into the future for my kids, I am sure that there will be many new things to come, and they will too look back and remember the good old days.

My affirmation for you this week is:

"I will remember the good old days while I continue to enjoy my best and most beautifulife today."