Above all else, those of us born before 1945 are survivors. Consider the changes we have witnessed:

We were born before television, penicillin, 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 man walked on the moon.

We got married first, 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 getting along with our cousins.
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 commuter marriages.
We were before day-care 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 coffees were unheard of.
We hit the scene where there were 5 & 10 cents stores--places where you actually bought things for a nickel and dime.
Some stores sold ice cream cones for a nickel or a 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 cents a gallon!

In our days, grass was mowed, Coke was a cold drink, and pot was something you cooked in.
Rock music was a 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 certainly before the sex change.

We made do with what we had. And we were the last generation that was so dumb as to think you needed a husband to have a baby.

No wonder we were so confused.
No wonder there is such a generation gap today.

But, we survived!

What better reason to celebrate?

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings,
thank you Lord, that I can hear.
There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible,
thank you, Lord, that I can see.
There are many who are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising,
thank you Lord that I have the strength to rise.
There are many who are bed ridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned and tempers are short, my children are so loud,
thank you Lord for my family.
There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu at times is unbalanced,
thank you Lord for the food we have .....
There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous,
thank you Lord, for the opportunity to work.
There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest,
thank you Lord for life.
There are many who are not blessed with another tomorrow.