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Karen Stuebing | all galleries >> PESO a Photo Every So Often >> Winter 2008-2009 >> November Challenge - A Song, a Poem or a Proverb > New Generation
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04-NOV-2008 Karen Stuebing

New Generation

West Virginia

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because, WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!


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Guest 20-Dec-2008 23:22
Ah just love this, Karen!
All a these words ring so true and bring back memories
of a more carefree time.

Ah specially lament for the lack a proper competition where, if you "stuffed" the opposition, they didn't burst into tears but just learnt to get better at the game!

BTW - Ah've got a black pickup just like that!!

Mike :o)
Jean Law-Bottorf 23-Nov-2008 02:01
Amen Karen-nobody worried about the silly stuff and we survived-we are not doing today's kids any favors
virginiacoastline18-Nov-2008 18:02
my brother sent me this accolade to our youth . . .I like how you've chosen to illustrate it