| The more things change |
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| Written by Bebe Lavin | |
| Monday, 25 January 2010 | |
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It's true - 2010 has just begun. How many corners have we older adults turned into a new year over time? The hoopla surrounding the new century of 2000 seems like yesterday. It's been ten years. How quickly and unnoticed the days, weeks, months and years fly by. For children, time moves slowly. For older adults, it breaks any speed limit. We oldies remember the amazing changes over the years. We who were once youngsters are older now. Our sons and daughters are adults who we remember as newborns, toddlers and teenagers. They have memories of their own newborns and growing children. We remember war. When we speak of 'the war,' we understand without explanation that we are referring to World War II. We remember many wars - from Korea and Vietnam, to the current wars raging in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Are we children of war? Is every generation? "When will they ever learn?" is a timeless lyric of a song written about a past war. We older individuals remember the establishment of the State of Israel and the wars fought there. We remember when Israel was undeveloped and worked into the present beacon of accomplishment and democracy. We remember when no one had a television set because they were not commercially available. News was delivered by radio and newspapers. Computers didn't exist. The Internet didn't exist. There was no problem about texting or talking on the telephone while driving for the simple reason that mobile phones were nonexistent, and during the war (you know which one) many folks did not even have a car, let alone two or three as today. Gym shoes, also known as sneakers, were always white until they morphed into the colors, styles and brands that are readily available today. Jeans were Levi's and worn during play times. Now jeans too have evolved into many different styles and brands and are worn anywhere - from school to elegant parties. When I was a 20-year-old first-grade teacher, female staff was not allowed to wear slacks or tights to work. The "sisterhood of the traveling pantsuits" didn't exist back then. A few weeks ago, the selection of skirts at a large clothing store was minimal, but the number and variety of pants, trousers or slacks were widely available. Some holidays remain the same today; some are new. Celebrations vary according to each person's tradition. Some have lost their essence; others have become too elaborate for the occasion. "To each his own" remains the standard. Yet, the more things change, the more they stay the same - in some instances. Kids go to school; families are ever present, improved now by their variety and acceptance of whatever form they may take. Adults have careers, workplaces and responsibilities. Babies are born; people live and die. The Chicago Cubs still don't win the World Series, yet their fans are legion and loyal, a veritable cult (of which I am a proud member since the age of five). Sons and daughters are wonderful and grandchildren are the icing on the already delicious cake. The rain is not only in Spain but in Columbus, Ohio. Ice cream remains a favorite treat although today it comes in flavors far beyond chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. There are smiles and tears, laughter and despair, hope and sadness, illness and health, and, of course, Airedales and other dogs and kittens for pets. The times, they are moving quickly, and we of any age remember. Memories fade and remain, but a new year comes on a regular basis. Once again, we hope for peace and respect among all people. Perhaps 2010 will fulfill this wish, perhaps not. "The more things change, the more they stay the same." This year, we wish our same hope to change into reality. We wish you good health and happiness in 2010 from us and ours to you and yours, b'shalom (in peace). Bebe Lavin-Pink writes the Bubbe Misehs column in The New Standard. Lavin, a freelance writer, and her husband, Paul, live in Bexley. They are the proud parents of Daniel (Jessica Lerner) in Washington, Jeremy (Yulia Wardani) in N.J. and Lesley in N.Y. They are the grandparents of five super grandchildren, Sophia, Eliza and Saul in Washington, and Aidan and Karina in N.J. |
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