Gone

I saw a post showing an aisle in a variety store with boxes stacked upon boxes of plastic model boats, planes, and cars. In most stores today, we are lucky to see one small shelf in the huge toy section that has a smattering of these onetime glorious representations of the real things. Gone are the enamel paints and the plastic glue that gave a person a buzz if inhaled for a long period of time. The selection that remains is so limited, it barely stirs the imagination of the boy or girl to spend the money for the model.

At one time there was a penny candy counter at the front of almost every country Mom and Pop store. Its wide glass-faced case was often smeared by the noses of children peering inside, trying to decide what to buy with their penny or nickel. The storekeeper would reach into the cavern below and withdraw a small, brown paper sack. A practiced flick of the wrist and it opened, waiting to be filled with the child’s choices. Peppermint sticks, licorice whips, wax lips, candy cigarettes, gum balls, fire balls, chewy caramels, Black Jack, and various suckers colors enticing through clear cellophane wrappings or alluring in their brightly hued paper wrappers. A child’s decision became tantalizingly and deliciously sweet. The grocer’s hand moved to hover over the display, waiting for the child’s final decision. If the child had enough money, there were three cent chocolate bars that are now history, too. Selections made, the little bag was twisted shut and handed to the eagerly awaiting child.

Cap pistol and strips of exploding caps have been all but banned from use. Using a pointed finger pretending it’s a pistol can get a kid kicked out of school. The innocence of the buss on a cheek can land a boy or girl in trouble, if a teacher so deems it. Hot chocolate and slices of buttered toast to start the school day are long gone. Even the wonderful, flavorful school lunches have faded into nutritious nothings.

Wood shop, music, art, and home economics have been replaced by forages into climate change and social justice. The Pledge of Allegiance, Bible reading, and a time of prayer have lost their zeal and have fallen into disuse. If a man displays gentlemanly traits like opening a door for a female, often they are scourged.

Writing letters and post cards have lost their appeal, giving way to selfies, texts, and e-mails. At least greeting cards still hold some importance, although e-cards are making an inroad on that once popular method of showing that you cared.