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My 20th Century

© Eileen O'dea

I was born when Eisenhower was president. JFK was running for his chance at the precedence. America was still in It's post war euphoria. Dad went off to work, and Mom was always there. For the first three years of my life, it was a time of blissful innocence.

I was too young to acknowledge the Cuban missile crisis. However, I did feel the tension in all of the adults.

I was three when JFK was assassinated. I sat, glued to the TV, and watched as John John saluted his father. Even at my tender age, I knew this was something very important.

I remember hearing something about Vietnam, while my uncle was joining the Navy. As a few years past, I would watch in horror, the pictures of the war's toll.

I was nine years old when we made it to the moon. In my young mind, that was the neatest thing to ever happen. I stared at the moon trying to catch a glimpse of the brave me up there. Naturally I didn't see them, but just for a moment, I was sure I had.

I remember tie dye and flower power, Hippies and men with long hair. I remember the older adults scoffing at these people. If only they could have looked past their appearances.

I remember Woodstock. The pictures still vivid in my mind. Were We, as a race, ever that free before or after? I remember phrases like, Far out and Groovy, being common place. I remember the Peace symbol, And what it stood for. It still dose.

I remember watching the funeral of President Eisenhower. I was in parochial school at the time. My entire class sat quietly and watched Procession. When it was over we prayed for his family.

I remember Bobby Kennedy being shot and killed. It was right there on TV!

I remember Walter Cronkite every night after dinner. I remember card parties and my parents going out dancing.

I remember Disco, and the effect it had on the way we dresses, and sometimes acted. I remember the Hustle. Well I remember doing the hustle. I don't think I could remember the steps now.

I remember the popularity of citizen band radios. Everyone had a handle, mine was sunshine. Hey we all had corny radio names. I remember the lingo. It was a language in it's self. Ten four, good buddy was heard EVERYWHERE.

I've seen plenty of fads. The Hula Hoop, Pet rocks, Disco, Polyester, and 8 track tape decks. I saw the original Volkswagen Bug, and the new version. I saw families in vogue, out of vogue, and back again. There was back to nature, on to modern life, and back to nature again.

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