I suppose one of the reasons I enjoy reruns of “The Waltons” is because, in some ways, it takes me back to my childhood when life seemed simpler and things moved at a slower pace.
Family took center stage, most everyone we knew went to church, and parents didn’t fear for their children’s safety if they went to visit a friend down the street.
Where I lived courtesy was commonplace and integrity was held in high esteem. Kids played outside and we didn’t consider it torture. Gentlemen held the doors open for women, and–gasp–women liked it!
There wasn’t as much disparity between social ranking then. The haves and the have-nots were more apt to share one another’s burdens regardless of money, or lack thereof.
We didn’t have to worry about flipping on the television set during the dinner hour and having a provocative commercial compete with Momma’s delicious rump roast.
Thanksgiving meant we truly gave thanks. And not for Black Friday sales either.
Christmas we celebrated Jesus’s birth, and people could put up a Christmas tree, too, without folks over-analyzing its symbolism.
We didn’t eat out of a box and we were healthier for it. We shopped the discount stores and weren’t embarrassed by the fact. We read books and we were proud to admit it. Our family was frugal before it became fashionable. And we loved God, this great nation, and the principles this country was founded upon–all of which we are now so complacent about.
While I’m relieved that our children won’t experience the same hardships of that time, it pricks my heart a bit to realize that they’ll never know what they missed.
By the same token, we’ve gained a lot. And I suppose progress is worth it, huh?
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What’s something you miss about yesterday? What do you look forward to in the future?
Comments 2
What a beautiful picture at the top of your post! I could sit here and look at that all day. I miss the slower pace, and the people with whom it was shared, quality tv programming. I look forward to reading your book 🙂 and watching my grandchildren grow. Have a blessed day, Cynthia.
Author
I’m looking forward to creating some of those happy, nostalgic times for my readers, Patti. In the small, fictional towns I write about, the folks still deal with their share of today’s problems while discovering Christ as the solution. I pray you had a blessed day, as well!