How Old is Grandpa?

Stay with this — the answer is at the end. It may blow you away.

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

The Grandfather 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 were no:

  • credit cards
  • laser beams or
  • ball-point pens

Man had not invented:

  • pantyhose
  • air conditioners
  • dishwashers
  • clothes dryers
  • and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and
  • space travel was only in Flash Gordon books.

Your Grandmother and I got married first, .. …. … and then lived together. Every family had a father and a mother. Until I was 25, I called every woman older than me, “mam”. And after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, “Sir.”

We were before gay-rights, computer-dating, dual careers, daycare centers, and group therapy. Our lives were governed by the Bible, good judgment, 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 in this country was a bigger privilege.

We thought fast food was eating half a biscuit while running to catch the school bus. Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins. Draft dodgers were those who closed front doors as 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, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings. We listened to 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, McDonald’s, and instant coffee were unheard of.

We had 5 &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 1 letter and 2 postcards. You could buy a new Ford 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 or from the archives

How old do you think I am? I bet you have this old man in mind….you are in for a shock!

Are you ready?????

This man would be only 70 years old.

28 thoughts on “How Old is Grandpa?

  1. Good stuff Paul.
    I am 46 and long for days like that. The things I complained about in my youth are more important than anything new brother. Don’t worry, some of us younger, but not so young folks still prefer the “Old days” thanks for posting.

        1. thanks Angel… in and out today……..didn’t see that. am praying for him.

          talked to him on the pub today, and he was in rough shape then too.

    1. I loved it and can relate to every one and more queer was something very odd, gay was happy, capri pants were peddle pushers and joy riding was on a bicycle. Finally for what I remember jeans were dungarees and they were ugly.

        1. Hi Paul,
          I am one year short of the 70…..damn, where did the time go?
          Imagine those thoughts of the missing time,on occasion, occur to you also….
          thanks for this

          1. hey rbeason turned 70 feb. 1 this year. figured id be dead before this. now i dont know WHAT to do. i guess just lock and load. time to kick it up a notch.

      1. chuckle…Paul…
        neither of us will allow to be called…grumpy old men, just yet will we!…Maybe at 95….or so…i could think of hearing that…hell, I don’t feel any different than I did 30 years ago…Truely. I’ve been fortunate in that regard…
        Had’t thought of all the things that came after I arrived on earth….must say, its lots and the social thinking, customs and such….truely are different….although I don’t zero in on that!….

        1. Never met my Grandparents. Dad was born in 1907 and Mom was born in 1920. I’m only 55. My cousins were old enough to be my parents (many have passed on). When I was little, I remember people commenting to my Dad about his Grand daughter (me) and he’d retort “That’s my DAUGHTER!” LOL
          The generation gap was tough growing up but, I sure learned a lot from my folks. 🙂

          1. Same here, Angel, except for my grandmother on my mom’s side. She died when I was 8 or 9.

            I’ve got to go get some dinner now, but I’ll be back in about 40. 🙂

          2. Sorry, Paul. I know that I wish I could have met mine. Both of my parents were the youngest of large families (10 &13). Like you, my Grandparents were long gone before I was even a “twinkle in the eye.”

  2. I’ll be 70 on my next birthday. ( if I live that long ). Two weeks ago I went out and bought a Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 motorcycle. It’s gonna keep me young at heart.
    I would go back to the good old days in a heartbeat!

  3. I remember filling my chopper mini bike with a 4 horse power Briggs and Stratton motor for 32 cents, and the tank held one gallon. I remember working at Cumberland Farms convenient store and giving change back for one pack of cigarettes. The person would give me one dollar and I’d give them change one quarter, one dime, one nickel and one penny, because the cigarettes were only .59 cents. I remember working the parking lots at New England Patriot games in 1973 and charging 3 dollars to park. The people were so mad at that high price they yelled and screamed. The last time I paid for parking at NHRA WinterNationals in Pomona CA last year parking was $25.00 and tickets were about $50.

  4. Willoughby, next stop is Willoughby…

    “a peaceful, restful place, where a man can slow down to a walk and live his life full measure.”

    -flek

  5. Damn,the responses to this article make me feel like a spring chicken!I was lucky enuff to know and meet all my grandparents for years,my grandfather last one made it to 93.I believe every generation feels that time in their youth was better then the present in many ways(probably was!).That said,while the posters here are not older then dirt believe they may have had a hand in it’s initial distribution!Anyone see the key to my hoveround?

Join the Conversation

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


*