photo #7861454

The Life That Once Was Us In a small house with three bedrooms, One bathroom, and a car parked on the street, Life was simple, but it felt complete. The lawn grew wild until Saturday came, When we'd push the old mower, No complaints, no shame. Inside, there was one phone on the kitchen wall. No recording devices— Someone was always home to answer the call. Our gathering spots were simple: The living room for talking, the kitchen for meals. No fancy rooms were needed; We valued how connection feels. One television, maybe two channels to choose, Yet somehow, there was always something to amuse. For snacks, it was chips, just plain and crisp, Or Lipton’s onion dip for a little twist. Store-bought treats were rare delights, Because Mom loved to cook— Warm brownies and pies, Straight from Betty Crocker’s book. Weekends were for family trips or playful days at home. We went to church together, no one stayed alone. Sometimes, we’d split up to follow our own trails, But we always knew where to find each other, Even without emails. The movies were a grand escape, Sometimes at a drive-in under the stars. There was magic in the flickering light, And popcorn in old-fashioned jars. Summers meant picnics beneath shady trees, Or friendly baseball games with knees scraped and free. No controllers, just bats and gloves. Our laughter echoed with the joy of love. Doctors were family friends back then, Who cared for you like one of their kin. No insurance forms or legal debates, Just an oath to heal and a kind heart innate. Shopping wasn’t a rush or a chore. We’d count out coins at the corner store. The cashier smiled and tallied each cost, No scanning, no swiping— And nothing was lost. The milkman came with bottles in hand, Dropping them off like a friend of the land. And letters arrived, addressed with care. No “current occupant” to despair. The cars had curves, a style all their own. You could name the make with one glance alone. No turtle-shaped designs for squeezing each mile, Just whitewalls, fins, and gleaming smiles. Music spun on vinyl, forty-fives stacked high. The needle dropped, and the room came alive. One song at a time, we’d twist and groove, Each beat carrying a story, a mood. Oh yes, we had our struggles then, But life felt slower, grounded, and zen. How do you explain a game of “kick the can,” Or the thrill of bottled Coke from a red machine stand? We clipped baseball cards to our bicycle spokes, Riding through the streets with carefree jokes. The world felt vast, yet close and kind. A simpler life, with joy easy to find. Now, technology moves us faster each day, And we marvel at how far we've come on the way. But sometimes, it’s sweet to pause, reminisce, And remember the life that felt like bliss. Time moves on, and so do we, But those moments still live in memory. Though everything changes, here’s my honest fuss: I loved the life that once was us. ❤️