[NY65912]

Born in '55. Life was so much simpler, but definitely not easier. We had much less in terms of possessions but a better quality of life. Families and friends seemed closer.

The sixties was a time of my coming of age for sure. I learned a hell of a lot in that schoolyard in Brooklyn. We as kids had more freedom. Out early, come back for a bite, back out again until supper. My Dad would lean out the front window and give a distinctive whistle, I knew it was time to eat. Back out after supper until I got another whistle.

We ran all over the place without anyone knowing where we were off to. We played softball, basketball and went fishing every day. Much more innocent times. You knew where you could go and where you should not. Got my draft card in 1973, number 52 in the last draft. Many of my friends brothers went off to Viet Nam. Most came back, but were not the same, some did not. We went to church looking like ladies and gentlemen. Hats and gloves, suits and dresses.

My wife and I were just talking about what we have seen in our lives.
Cold War
Getting the Polio vaccine on a pink sugar cube
Duck and cover under our school desks
Jet travel
The milk man rattling bottles and 4 AM.
Ebinger's Bakery
Mail being delivered twice a day!
Coney Island
Kennedy assassination
Civil unrest '64
Passing of civil rights act
VietNam war
MLB assassination
RFK assassination
GOING TO THE MOON!!!!!
Hippies
Nixon, Watergate, leaving office
Drug culture
'69 Mets, Knicks and Jets
Long hair
Rock music
My double play as a third baseman for my PSAL team in '68 that won the big game.
Computers
Cell Phones
Space shuttle disasters
Breakdown of family
More civil unrest
Lack of respect for women, police, religion, teachers.

I'd take back the 60's because of the way I saw it as a kid, maybe not reality but my perception of reality. I know there was plenty of trouble and dark things that I did not see or encounter but I had a blast as a kid. I know I am leaving a ton of stuff/events out.

Ehh, now a fat old guy that feels the world he knew is long gone and ain't coming back, it's lost.
And so I move with the times as we all must. Perhaps I can instill some of my youth through stories and actions into my three grandsons.

Cheers