I was born in the mid ‘40’s, grew up in the ‘50’s and early ‘60’s, and got married in 1970.  You hear a lot of jokes about our childhood.  The teens today say, “Wheeeeee, that was such a long time ago.”  And they will laugh and snicker about our life then, but you know, it wasn’t bad at all.  In fact, it was pretty good.

The annual salary in 1950 averaged $3,210.00. By 1964 it had increased to a whopping $6,000.00. For most it was less, many a lot less.  Yet most of the time only one parent had to work.  Mom was at home with a big smile to meet you when you got off the school bus, and regardless of the meager amount of salary that did come in to our households, our parents still found a way to put a little away for a rainy day and still live a decent life.  And you know, that wasn’t bad at all.  If fact, it was pretty good.

It was safe to send a six year old to the store to get a loaf of bread.  For a quarter, we could get the bread and enjoy a candy bar on the way back.  And you know, that wasn’t bad. In fact, it was pretty good.

We didn’t have air conditioning, so you left the windows and doors open.  And you weren’t afraid to do so.  You knew every person in the community and their children.  When a neighbor needed help, the neighborhood was there to lend a helping hand.  That wasn’t bad at all, in fact it was pretty good.

If you were lucky enough to go on vacation, you went as a family.  Again, you didn’t have any air conditioning in the car; therefore, even if it was 110 degrees in late July or August you rolled down all four windows and let the wind blow right in your face and head on out to the beach or the mountains.  That wasn’t bad at all.  If fact, it was pretty good.

When both parents did need to be away for a while, childcare meant leaving them with grandparents and aunts and uncles. And that wasn’t bad at all.  If fact, it was pretty good.

You had teachers that really cared and parents who were thankful for those teachers.  If you got a paddling in school, you knew you were going to get another one when you got home.  And you could go to school and not worry about someone having a gun.  And the only drug you had to worry about was being “drug” out of bed in the morning.  Ah, those fresh sun-dried sheets felt so good!  And that wasn’t bad at all.  If fact, it was pretty good.

You loved to watch Howdy Dowdy, I Love Lucy, The Lone Ranger, Gun smoke, Bonanza, and American Bandstand in the ‘50’s, and The Flintstones, Andy Griffith, Mr. Ed, Hogan’s Heroes, and Sesame Street in the ‘60’s.  And all of your favorite TV shows were on that big old black and white TV.  You could go down to the Richmond Theatre or The Strand and watch a Gene Autry movie, enjoy a coke and a candy bar, all for 25 cents.  And that wasn’t bad at all.  If fact, it was pretty good.

Sunday’s families went to church together, ate lunch together at home.  Often we enjoyed an afternoon ride and picnic together, and then we went back to church Sunday night together.  And that wasn’t bad at all.  If fact, it was pretty good.

Your Mom knew how to make a cut knee feel fine and Dad could fix about anything that needed to be fixed.  Mom sure could cook, and Dad would go outside and play ball with you or even play tea party with your sister.    And that wasn’t bad at all.  If fact, it was pretty good.

You enjoyed fresh veggies from the garden, and the chickens ran loose in the yard. And that wasn’t bad at all.  If fact, it was pretty good.

Parents were respected and their rules were the law.  Children didn’t talk back.  Children were taught to have respect for our elders and those in authority.  Children were taught to show manners in their walk and talk.  And that wasn’t bad at all.  If fact, it was pretty good.

Neighbors and friends corrected each other’s children…and it was appreciated.  They cared.  You were taught patriotism and Christian values in school.  At school you had prayer over the intercom to start each morning, and the teacher read from the Bible!  And that wasn’t bad.  In fact, it was a most wonderful and grand time that we all now live daily to appreciate in so many, many ways!

Growing up in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s wasn’t bad at all. In fact, it was pretty good.