It’s all about perspective and life experiences. Aunts and uncles at family gatherings were sensational story tellers particularly of their personal experiences during their coming of age and early adulthood whether in the US or elsewhere. It was told it a way that I could actually picture it in my mind as if it was a movie, in black & white of course. This was the Depression (1930s), a brutal period when they sought spiritual and intellectual sanctuary in family and simple entertainment like books, radio, and conversation.
Personally I enjoyed my coming of age immensely and young adulthood during that “sweet spot” period between 20-25 years old, graduated from college and having zero responsibility for several years before seriously pursuing a career.
During one gathering when I was a teenager I was curious about something. I asked them in which period they’d like to be young again – their period of yesteryear or my period. They all unhesitatingly responded that they preferred their period. All they did was grin and change the subject when I asked why. The reason was never articulated despite the same inquiry at the next family gathering months later. And each time I was quite puzzled.
I discovered the answer years later when I began approaching their age range when I asked them as a kid. When I asked myself that question I gave myself the same answer my aunts and uncles gave me. Despite today’s technological marvels that were considered Buck Rodgers stuff at the time, no cable TV, internet social media and all the so-called time-saving conveniences of the 21st century, I would prefer my period.
I reveled in one would call the civilized way of life: the neighborhood’s cohesiveness, durable family and social structure. Stability trumps volatility. I had time to smell and appreciate the roses even during a dystopian period in a NYC with rampant crime, drugs, and neighborhoods one dare not traverse even during the day. It was an extended Special Forces boot camp. I was on red alert well before 9/11. Though my aunts and uncles have passed on, I now understand their response, emotions and unspoken yet proud reason.
Honestly I don’t miss the day-to-day aggravations and deprivations of the so-called good old days, only the people, family and even friends who are no longer with me. I’m thankful for its lessons learned and I enjoy and appreciate the technological conveniences of today as a learning and building tool, not as a crutch.
I often feel like that re-purposed industrial building in a bygone era that churned out products and now as a condo, still slightly rough around the edges, but with the same sturdy structure with all its memories, has the same soul.
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