A few weekends ago my wife and I spent the afternoon walking around the area that was formerly known as the town of Creighton Mine. It was the community in which she grew up and in which the two of us had enjoyed many, many days as teenagers walking around the streets just talking and being together. There is nothing left of the town now. INCO decided to “dismantle the town” a long time ago. All that is left are the narrow gravel streets and wild bushes growing where homes once stood. Both of us spoke of growing up in a much simpler time, and actually longed for a return to those peaceful days of the 1960's in Creighton. I know that a lot has happened during my lifetime, but I was never really aware of just how much the world has changed until I came across a little article entitled “How old is this person?” People who are in their 60's will appreciate this article, as will just about anyone else who feels that the world is spinning out of control.

As you are reading the story, try to guess how old you think this person would be today.

One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about current events. He asked what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general.

The granddad replied, “Well, let me think a minute...I was born before television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, frisbees and the pill. There was no radar, credit cards, laser beams or ball-point pens. Man had not invented pantyhose, air conditioners, dishwashers, or clothes dryers. The clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and man hadn’t yet walked on the moon. Every family had a father and a mother, and every boy over 14 had a rifle that his dad taught him how to use and respect. And they went hunting and fishing together. Until I was 25, I called every man older than I, “Sir” and after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title “Sir”. Sundays were set aside for going to church as a family, helping those in need, and visiting with family or neighbours. We were before gay-rights, computer-dating, dual careers, daycare centers and group therapy. Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgement, 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 here an even 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 people who closed their front doors when 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, CD’s, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings. We listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President’s speeches on our radios. And 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, McDonalds, and instant coffee were unheard of. We had 5 and 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. And if you didn’t want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail one letter and two postcards. You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, but who could afford one? Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon. 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. And 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.

Granddad just turned 60 years old. How old do you feel now?

My own kids still laugh when I tell them that one of the most incredible feelings I had as a young boy was when I watched a hand-held calculator actually do multiplication and division by simply pressing numbered buttons. I shudder to think of where modern technology is taking us, but it certainly will be quite a ride.