4 – The Survivors

The Survivors

(Taken from the 1999, 50th South High School Reunion, Cleveland, Ohio, Souvenir Booklet.) The Depression and World WAR II had changed us forever. The world would never be the same, but we can say, “We Are Survivors”. Consider the changes we have witnessed: We were born before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams and ballpoint pens … before pantyhose, designer jeans, dishwashers, clothes dryers, electric blankets, air-conditioners, drip-dry clothes and before a man walked on the moon. It was our quaint custom to get married first–then live together. In our time, closets were for clothes, not for “coming out of.” Bunnies were small rabbits and rabbits were not Volkswagens. Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along well with our cousins. We thought fast food was what you ate during Lent. We were before house-husbands, gay rights, computer dating, dual careers and computer marriages. We were before daycare centers, group therapy and nursing homes. We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, electric typewriters, artificial hearts, word processors, yogurt and guys wearing earrings. For us, time-sharing meant togetherness–not computers or condominiums. A chip meant a piece of wood or potato. Hardware meant hardware and software wasn’t even a word. In 1940, “Made in Japan” meant junk and the term “making out” referred to, “how you did on your exam.” Pizzas, McDonalds and instant coffee were unheard of. We can remember when single-dip ice cream cones were a nickel and double-dip cones were a dime. We remember when you could buy things for five and ten cents in the “Five and Dime” stores. For a nickel you could ride a streetcar, make a phone call, buy a Pepsi, buy enough stamps to mail one letter and two postcards. You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, but few could afford one, a pity too, because gas was only eleven-cents a gallon. In our day, grass was mowed, coke was a cold drink, and pot was something you cooked in. Rock music was Grandma’s lullaby. Aids were helpers in the principal’s office. In our era, the difference between sexes was well-known. No one had heard of a sex change. We made do with what we had. We were the last generation so dumb as to think you needed a husband to have a baby. Is it any wonder then, we are so confused that today a generation gap exists? But, we survived! (Submitted by Delores Mazany, a student of the 50th South High School Reunion.)