posted on Feb, 3 2010 @ 03:18 PM
First of all, thanks for your service in Iraq. Stay safe.
Perhaps you've simply got a case of "When I was young in the good 'ole days?" You know, those stories your grandparents would tell that made you
roll your eyes at how out of date they were.
I'm a school teacher, and recently found myself in a horrifying situation. I mentioned the cartoon characters the Smurfs as an example for a lesson,
and was shocked to see that noone knew what a Smurf was! Talk about feeling old.....that did it for me.
As for the things I miss the most:
1. The feeling of absolute security when my Dad would take me to see my grannies goats. I was terrified of them, they loved to try and eat my
clothes and hair, but whenever Dad held me to pet them I knew I was safe. I don't think I've felt that safe since.
2. Innocence of the world in general. I never used to worry about thieves, serial killers, or terrorists. Now every where I go I feel like I'm so
suspicious I can't enjoy myself. For example, my sister-in-law and I went to see the movie PhoneBooth (I think that's the name, with colin ferrel).
The theatre had a strict no bag policy. About ten minutes into the movie, a man comes in with a huge backpack, sits in our row (the theatre was
empty). After a few more minutes, he stuffed the backpack under the seat in front of him and walked out. After he was gone for at least 15 minutes,
it unnerved us enough to go find the management. Turns out he was just taking a LONG time in the bathroom....but that just goes to show how I've
lost my innocence. Before 911, I wouldn't have paid that episode a bit of thought.
3. I miss hiking in the Smokies whenever the urge hit. Now, in the summers, there are many days that are flagged as dangerous to outdoor enthusiasts
because of pollution levels. A real bummer.
4. I miss when toys were giganitc cardboard boxes that you could pretend were anything. How many times I traveled to Pluto, sailed the seven seas,
hunted cowboys, or went on safari in my parents' old refrigerator box....
5. I miss the surety I used to have regarding my religious faith. I was one pious, devout, fundamentalist....believer. But I've been questioning
those beliefs for a long time, and its painful. Sometimes I wish I could go back to just believing without rationalizing said belief.
6. I miss going to the book store with a five dollar bill and being able to buy at least one book and have change left over. Sigh.