During our life time, we have born witness to and experienced so many historic events and technological changes that, taken in total, stagger the mind. As our generation came of age, we were exposed to many fundamental changes that would transform our lives, and alter the world we know. As Bob Dylan would sing "The Times They Are A - Changin;" but, we can testify not always for the better. We, the Baby Boomers, would be the last generation in many ways to experience an age of apparent innocence; thus making the saying "the good old days" a time many of us look back on with fond memories.

Let us consider some of the major changes we have lived through. First of all most of the Colonel White High School Class of 1964 has the distinction of being labeled "Baby Boomers" (1946-1952). That said, our lives began before Color Television, Diet Soda, before Polio Shots, TV Dinners, XEROX, the Internet, Contact Lenses, Frisbees and the PILL. We came into the world prior to Car Stereos, Credit Cards, Satellites, Laser Beams and before Pantyhose, Dishwashers, Microwave Ovens, Electric Blankets, Home Air Conditioning, Miniskirts - and before Man walked on the moon.

After high school we got married first and then lived together, a quaint notion by today's standards. In our youth, closets were for clothes, not for "coming out of." Bunnies were small rabbits not a white tailed Playboy Centerfold. The Beatles were bugs you tormented girls with, and when Mom or Dad said "because," you did what they said. We were before Pocket Calculators, Home-Schooling, Computer Dating; Cell phones, Hair Spray and Video games. We did chores like cutting grass without a power mower and raking leaves without a leaf blower. How did we ever survive to adulthood?

We played outside all day- only coming home to do chores and eat supper. Our childhood was spent playing all sorts of sports:

baseball, basketball, football, tennis, and track. Passing the remainder of our spare time, we engaged in spirited contests of Marbles, Kick- the- Can, Hide and Go Seek, Hopscotch and Capture- the-Flag.

Today our grandchildren never leave their house except for school and being driven to a practice or a game. Going to and from their activities, they engage in texting their friends or listening to "god awful music." Arriving home, they resume sitting in front of the TV; playing video games; or rush off to their rooms to see what has been written on Facebook.

We were before Day-Care Centers, Group Therapy and Shopping Malls. We never heard of the Sexual Revolution, FM Radio, VCR's, DW-40; Heavy Metal bands, Yogurt, or Backpacks. Guys did not wear earrings unless you count pirates. For us, dinner meant family togetherness made lovingly by Mom, where we ate what was served or else. We did not go to McDonald's for a Happy Meal or order a Pizza from Domino's. We were deprived for quite some time from ordering a $4.00 Star Bucks' Latte or Frappuccino.

DNA was yet to be discovered (1953), Jonas Salk's Polio Vaccine was waiting for our little arms (1954), Hardware meant hardware, and Software wasn't even a word, in the 1950's, "Made in Japan" meant JUNK and the term "Making Out" referred to how you did on your exams;- but not all of time.

We Hit the Scene when we went downtown to Woolworth's 5 and 10 cent store, or when we visited Rike's Christmas window displays. Soda jerks were cool because they made you sundaes, banana splits, floats, and cherry cokes, all for a nickel or a dime. Also for a nickel you could ride a bus, make a phone call, buy a Pepsi and for another nickel buy a hotdog. When you were sent to the local grocery store, with 20 cents you could purchase a loaf of bread a big hunk of bologna and round it out with a Baby Ruth candy bar. For a nickel you could head out to buy a whole bag of penny candy and have plenty to share with your BFF. Which reminds me, another thing we did not have was" Initial Speak." (I coined that phrase?)

A family vacation to Disneyland was only a dream being born in Uncle Walt's mind. You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600; but who could afford one?! A pity too, because gas was 11 cents a gallon!

In our day, cigarette smoking was fashionable, GRASS was mowed, COKE was a cold drink, POT was something you cooked in and Rock and Roll Music was just becoming popular by1954. We were before the Sexual Revolution;-( but certainly not before we realized the difference between the sexes.) Hugh Hefner's Playboy magazine helped the male youth see and appreciate the wonderful differences.

How simple our lives were before numerous forms of social media defined our daily existence. Today we have Facebook, Blogs, You Tube, Twitter, Instagram, Texting, and a myriad of other formats. I always chuckle at the word "Tweet" because my mind associates that word with Sylvester the Cat and his never ending attempt to catch his nemeses "Tweety Bird." Instead of the Star Wars movies to entertain us we made do with Superman and Batman comic books.

How did we survive without Cable TV, Home computers, Spell check, Cell phones, I-pads, and most importantly our numerous Remote controls? We made do by watching three channels, using a dictionary, talking to people on the phone or in person without a smart device attached to our face.

Today, we see the future unfolding as a collage of challenges that engulf our daily lives. No wonder at times our generation collectively shakes its head in utter amazement at all the event s we experienced. But somehow we survived! But what daunting tests await us? Only time will tell...