Those born during or soon after World War II have experienced things that our children and grandchildren would think are silly or unimportant. Our generation has always been mostly optimistic but grounded in the knowledge that we grew up with few things that were not required to get by. That did not mean we did not desire more than we had, but the things people take for granted today did not exist. They exist today because our generation developed them or at least started their development from scratch.
We remember “ration books” that families had for each family member that were required to buy certain food items like sugar. Items like new tires for cars could not be bought at any price. After the war, manufacturing switched back to making items for personal ownership in place of war materials. That ignited the economy by having products to purchase and jobs to make new products.
During the 1960s, stores and gas stations started giving S&H or US Green stamps to customers when they purchased from them. Families had Stamp Books to stick the stamps in and when they had enough books of stamps, there were Stamp Redemption stores where you could go and trade your stamps for the item you wanted. Families (Moms mostly) might save up for months to get enough to get that item. During the same time, families might buy US Savings Bonds to put away money for a child’s education or other purposes. This developed a mindset of setting priorities that included tomorrow and not just living for today. Most purchases were made using cash or some people with checking accounts might pay with checks at some businesses.
Diamond Shamrock gas stations started giving free drinking glasses with the gasoline sales when you filled your tank or there may have been a minimum number of gallons required. They had at least five different sizes of glasses, but they would have the same size/type for a period and then a new glass would be available. Over months, a family could collect sets of different glasses. Going to that same gas station each time to get gas, you got to know the employees and they recognized you.
With self-serve and pay-at-the-pump, people go to where the lowest price is or maybe where the shortest lines are. Homes today are filled with stuff with little history and no personal attachments. Their thoughts and decisions are about today and are mostly driven by wants. Transactions are made by flashing a phone or via the internet. Gone are the days when the amount of cash you had on you affected where you went, what you ate, or what you bought. Those who use debit cards may still have to be aware of their bank account balance, but it is not the same as counting the dollar bills in your wallet.
Over our lifetime, we have had many sets of glasses and I have more than I could ever need. Some have been more expensive or fancier, but the Shamrock free glasses that are in the cabinet with the glass doors are my favorite. While I seldom use them, I will keep them as long as I live as a reminder of the early years of our life together. A reminder of Eva and her efforts to save on the little things so that we might have more important things together.
I feel sorry for those who have grown up with all the things today and how easy it is to buy things or do what you want when you want to. They think of something and pick up their phone and bam, it arrives at their door the next day. Things that come so easy in life end up having little value and their life is all about instant gratifications. Memories are not made in an instant when no planning or sacrifice is involved. Relationships grow stronger and deeper when they have been dragged through the struggles and delays of “not now”.
