"They don't make 'em like that anymore!" Have you ever said that? Today, I was extremely privileged to have the opportunity to gain some wisdom from the older generation. I try to do that as often as possible. I absolutely dearly love older people and consider it an honor to be able to spend time with them. Today was no exception. As I spoke with this lady, she shared stories and advice that, in my opinion are priceless. As I left, and even now at this very minute, I am trying to pin down exactly why the older generation holds such a special place in my heart. I think I have finally at least figured out at least part of the reason behind my fondness for the older generation and I believe it really boils down to these words: "They don't make 'em like that anymore." As a matter of fact, there's a song by that title. Here's the lyrics to Jason Blaine's "They Don't Make 'Em Like that Anymore":
He still combs his hair like Elvis
Pays cash for everything
and he'll only drive a chevy and thinks Alan Jackson's king
He knows everyone by name at the local hardware store
They dont make 'em like that anymore
Up with the sun each mornin'
Hardly missed a day of work
Summer 1957 he helped build that Lutheran church
Believes a man should work all week but save Sunday for the Lord
They dont make 'em like that anymore
Standin' shoulder to shoulder with him now,
I still feel small
And I'm still lookin' up to him like he's ten feet tall
There's somethin about that generation
These days I think we need 'em
More than we ever did before
But they dont make 'em like that anymore
He married his sweet Mary
June 1955
He goes on and on about her
Her casseroles, her clear blue eyes
He still helps her with her coat,
Still opens her car door
They dont make 'em like that anymore
Standin' shoulder to shoulder with him now,
I still feel small
And I'm still lookin up to him like he's ten feet tall
Theres somethin' about that generation
These days I think we need 'em
More than we ever did before
But they dont make 'em like that anymore
Theres somethin about that generation
These days I think we need 'em
More than we ever did before
Yeah thats for sure
But they dont make 'em like that anymore
He still combs his hair like Elvis
Pays cash for everything...
When I hear this song, the first two people that come to mind are my grandfathers. But today, not only did my grandfathers come to mind when I thought about this song, but the older lady I visited. Before, I thought this song only applied to older men, but it rings true for many of the older generation-men and women. I feel that the older generation holds a special place in my heart for several reasons
First, they stick to quality-even if it isn't always the best looking. If it worked 40 years ago, then why can't it work now. Sometimes people don't like to think this way, but let's face it-some things work better the old fashioned way. For example, give me grandaddy's old Zebco 33 fishing reel over a new one any day. Sure, it may not be the prettiest piece of craftsmanship but it beats modern day junk any day. The same goes for their way of doing things. They don't need Google because they've got experience. They tried things. They practiced. They got better at things.
Second, the older generation still values money the way it should be valued. They rarely buy things they don't need. If they buy things, they pay cash and don't run up a huge credit card debt. Why do they do this? Well it's simple and easy to see and it's my third reason why I have a fondness for the older generation.
Third, the older generation values work. They're "up with the sun each morning" and "hardly miss a day of work." They realize that it takes work to raise a family and be able to save and prepare for hard times. They also realize that all work doesn't have to be boring. They take pride in what they do. They see work as something that's rewarding-an accomplishment that allows them to enjoy life in more ways than one.
Fourth, the older generation values other people. When I spoke with this older lady today, she told me about many people in the community. She told me about how they were doing. She spoke of things they did together in the past. Personally I see this in my grandfathers too. I've literally been to hardware stores with both of them and they, almost always, "knew everyone by name at the local hardware store." I know they generally had an interest in them too.
Finally, I love the older generation because they know how to love. As I spoke with the older lady today, I asked her about a picture on the wall. The picture was of her and her late husband. She "went on and on" about him. She bragged about his work ethic, his physical strength, and most importantly, how he provided for her and her kids until he was killed in a tragic accident at a local mill. That was a very long time ago. Yet, she worked hard and raised three kids on her own and still loved the same man even when she didn't wake up next to him every morning. That is true love if you ask me- a love that has stood the test of time. Do they really "make 'em like that anymore?"
Before today, my answer may have been "no." However as I watched the video that goes with the song, at the end I noticed something. The old man in the video forgets his wallet on a diner table. A young man sees it and rushes out to the parking lot to return the wallet. Perhaps they do still "make 'em like that." In fact I believe they do, but the secret to that is the younger generation taking notes from the older generation.
As I look around at young people today, I'm sometimes disappointed. They seem to lack respect for their elders and even more they lack a desire to work and accomplish things. However, now instead of focusing on the bad. I'm going to focus on the good because there are still young people out there who are upstanding individuals.I know that for a fact. I'm going to try my best to be one of them.
So today, the measure of a man can be found in his ability to defy the phrase "They don't make 'em like that anymore." I urge everyone to learn from the older generation because "these days I think we need 'em more than we ever did before."
That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!
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