The good old days

At a recent dinner with friends, we reminisced over childhood experiences that occurred during the 1950s. We talked about living in homes where the doors were left unlocked at night. We talked about playing games based purely on our imaginations with no expensive toys or gadgets involved. We talked about our favorite candies and how we could get five pieces of candy for a penny and a huge candy bar for a nickel. Ah, to return to a time when life was simpler and safer. What we failed to mention was that we also would climb into the bowels of the school on a regular basis for air raid drills in the fear that a nuclear war would occur. We also spent holidays under the shadow of an energy crisis. Ah, the good old days. As humans we possess an incredible ability to selectively choose what is pleasant and forget that which brings up worry. It reminds us that life contains vast quantities of good that can be retained in our memories and shared at dinner parties. Our younger generations are doing the very same thing at this moment. They are creating their own version of their good old days. When we compare the past with the present, we learn that those days weren't better; they were simply different. The good old days may be more of a state of mind than an actuality, an actuality that you create. What you can do for times that occurred decades ago, you are capable of doing for events that happened yesterday. Focus on the events that bring joy and laughter and good feelings, and your stories of the good old days will be enriching. What aspects of the good old days do you recall?