No(t)stalgia

Was it really easier when we were young?

Were people kinder, or just less blatant about their malice?

Did people really communicate with each other;
neighbours have friendly conversations, families not battle over line-drawn viewpoints?

Were religious beliefs, or the lack thereof less vitriolic, intolerant, or demanding of others?

Did children have time for play, unscheduled by parental desires or extramural activities?

Was it really safer then, allowing us to run, bike, participate in games outside of the house
and away from parents’ constant gaze on weekends, holidays, and after school?

Was living without fear of being shot, having one’s environment vandalised,
being able to go to work or school without anything more alarming than an occasional fire drill
just a whitewashed memory?

Did children really not expect to be handed every toy, device, or pricy item of clothing on demand?

Did we actually not walk around in clothing more suitable for burlesque than school or work?

Did we really wear actual hats, not ballcaps, for something other than warmth?

Were sparkly jewellery and clothing only allowed after five in the evening?

Did we ever anticipate that people would think wearing torn clothing was fashionable,
or that t-shirts and jeans were suitable attire for formal religious services, weddings, or funerals?

Did we really work only forty hour weeks, and take two-week vacations at the shore;
did families live on one parent’s income that paid for a decent life, college, and retirement savings?

Did doctors really make house calls, did customer service mean businesses serving their customers,
and no one had to self-serve themselves everywhere?

Did people once write in complete sentences and speak without swearing and slang?

Was there always this much hate, division, oversight, and undervaluing?

Was this our definition of freedom and greatness?

Ronda R. Scott-Marak

© 7 March 2018