Les, you are so correct about, "the good old days." Sure, there has always been happiness mixed in with sadness throughout time but some of the advantages of being alive now are completely lost on people. My parents had several friends who were permanently crippled from childhood polio but still went on to live very productive lives. I am forever inspired by men walking with those wrist crutches but wearing a nice suit and with a big smile on their face. One was a physician and lifelong friend.
What I don't get is people who complain endlessly about modern life or this country. I don't want to send this to the sewer, (PARF), but there is a politics of grievance and people who are just bound and determined to be miserable and complain while living in the best time ever to be alive. Life is great and this country is great. I'm filled with gratitude. The World Series is being played right down the street at Dodgers Stadium and I'm about to walk out into the warm sunshine that is always L.A. and go to the coffee shop where I will be greeted warmly by the young people who work there and the other regulars. I will almost certainly get to pet some dogs and see some acquaintances. There might even be an attractive woman in sight...who am I kidding, there will be many.
Life was great in 1967 when I was 8 years old, (that's me on the left on 4th of July), and life is great now. If you're healthy and can be of usefulness to your fellows, life is great.
