I don't know, maybe it's just me, however, growing up in a small town, life seemed much simpler back then; back when my only worry was to make sure that I was back home before the street lights came on. But then again, I want to be careful that I don't sound like an old person. It has always seemed to me that it's older people who talk about the good old days when life was better. In fact, they talk nostalgically about their own youth like it was irretrievably gone. And I don't want to sound like or be an old person.
But there are some things that I miss from the days when I couldn't wait to get up on Saturday mornings and watch Bugs, Daffy, Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam. And it's fun when you discover that you can experience them all over again.
There are a number of things that I miss from my childhood like eating fudgsicles with my grandfather. I miss playing Little League baseball. I miss riding my green Schwinn Spider bike and hanging out with all of my friends. I miss Sunday afternoon dinners with the family. I miss playing fetch with my dog Useless. Yes, his name was Useless but that's a blog for another day...
All of those are components of me growing up Kirby. But there's something else that I miss today. It's something that's almost none existent. You can't find it anywhere. And while you might think it's stupid, it bugs the hell out of me.
It's manners. People had them when I was growing up and now they don't. Go ahead and laugh if you must but you know I'm right.
Like I said, I grew up in a small town and I was indoctrinated at an early age on the importance of manners. Nothing would make my mom happier than to get a compliment from someone about how well mannered I was. She would beam like she had just won the Nobel Peace Prize. I don't believe that I am wrong when I say that kids in my generation were taught that good manners were a sign of integrity, self-respect and concern for others.
But today, not so much. Why is that I wonder?
Manners and their importance may have changed over time, but people haven't. Being respected and appreciated never goes out of style. Maybe that is what's wrong with society today - we've lost respect and appreciation for one another.
Someone once said that the hardest job kids face today is learning manners without seeing any. Mrs. Planet Kirby and I taught our children that when in doubt, always show courtesy, kindness and integrity. Manners are a sensitive awareness of the importance and feelings of others and I think it's time for manners to make a comeback. If you have that awareness, then you have manners, no matter what fork you use at a fancy restaurant.
But just for the record, the salad fork is the one on the left furthest from the plate.
Be Well.
Bill
