We were born before television, before penicillin, before polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, plastic, contact lenses, Frisbees and the pill. We were before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams and ball-point pens. Before pantyhose, dishwashers, clothes dryers, electric blankets, air conditioners, drip-dry clothes and before men walked on the moon.

     We got married first and then lived together. How quaint can you be? In our time closets were for clothes, not for "coming out of." Bunnies were small rabbits and rabbits were not Volkswagens. Designer Jeans were scheming girls named Jean and having a "meaningful relationship" meant we got along with our cousin.

     We thought fast food was what you ate during Lent and "outer space" was the back of the Riviera Theatre. We were before house husbands, gay rights, computer dating, dual careers and computer marriages. We were before daycare centers, group therapy and nursing homes. We never heard of FM radio, tape decks, electronic typewriters, artificial hearts, word processors, yogurt and guys wearing earrings. For us, "time sharing" meant togetherness not computers or condominiums. A "chip" meant a piece of wood. "Hardware" meant hardware and "software" wasn't even a word.

     Back then, "Made in Japan" meant junk, and the term "making out" referred to how you did on your exam. Pizzas, McDonalds and instant coffee were unheard of. We hit the scene where there were 5 and Dime stores, where you bought things for five and ten cents. Sanders or Wilsons sold ice cream cones for a nickel or dime. For one nickel you could ride a street car, make a phone call, buy a Pepsi or enough stamps to mail one letter and two postcards. You could buy a new Chevy coupe for $600, but who could afford one? A pity, too, because gas was 11¢ a gallon.

     In our day, GRASS was mowed, COKE was a cold drink, and POT was something you cooked in. ROCK MUSIC was grandma's lullaby and AIDS were helpers in the principal's office. We were certainly not before the difference between the sexes was discovered, but we were surely before the sex change. We made do with what we had. And we were the last generation that was dumb enough to think you needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder we are so confused and there is such a generation gap today.

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