Yes I remember all this, and it grieves me to see it disappear. The disrespect of the younger people seems overwhelming at times. We live in a crass and rude culture now, elders are not treated with honor, they are rather treated as peers to be manipulated.
We raised our children in the Pacific Northwest, the "left coast", even though we tried to teach them manners, they have no idea what it is to honor their elders. The schools undermined parental authority and taught rudeness by elevating self esteem.
In law adult children call their in laws by their first name, adult children instruct their parents instead of listening to instruction, grandchildren are taught to call their grandparents by their first names instead of Grandpa and Granny or Mr. and Mrs.
I cannot tell you the number of times I tried to correct our children in instructing them to call elders Mr. and Mrs. only to be undermined by everyone in the room as if I did something wrong.
There were so many social norms that flew in the face of everything we knew was right, but most didn't understand these social graces or were too cowardly to enforce them in their children in a culture that would mock them.
How far we have fallen from a decent and respectful society of humble people.
Henry-Hank Verlyn Spooner-Christen
49 mins ·
Do You Remember The Real America?
You do If you can you remember When people had pride about themselves, and dressed nice to go out In public. When you could leave your front doors unlocked. When children read the Bible and prayed in public schools. When marriage was between a man and a woman. When the word gay meant happy. When socialism was a dirty word. When ghettos were neighborhoods. When the American Flag was a respected symbol. When criminals actually went to jail. When you were not afraid to go out at night. When Television was free. When children were spanked In public schools. When people talked without cursing. When taxes were only a necessary nuisance. When a boy was a boy and dressed like one. When a girl was girl and dressed like one. When almost everyone went to Church on Sunday. When things were made In America. When the clergy actually preached against sin In Church. When clerks and repairmen tried to please you. When college kids swallowed goldfish, not drugs. When people respected their elders, and said yes ma'am, no ma'am, yes sir, no sir, even after they were grown up. When songs had a tune and the words made sense. When people expected less, and valued what they had more. When politicians proclaimed their patriotism and meant it. When everyone knew the difference between right and wrong. When things were not perfect-but you did not expect them to be. When our government stood up for Americans anywhere in the world. When you knew that the law would be enforced and your safety protected. When you considered yourself lucky to have a good job and proud, too. When the law meant justice and you were in awe at the sight of a policeman. When you were not too embarrassed to say that this is the best country . When America was a land filled with brave, proud, hardworking people. That was what It was like In the Real America.
Time was passing like a hand waving from a train i wanted to be on.
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) — with Connie Kielsmeier.
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