Christmas was a truly special holiday and not an excuse to shop

People used to actually make eye contact with each other, instead of avoiding one another. A nod and a smile were the norm instead of the exception

You said "hello" to some one, and they didn't act as if you had just disrupted their whole day, or worse simply ignore you

Being in a cross-walk meant that cars would stop and allow you to cross

People actually looked both ways before they crossed a road

Speed limits, especially in school zones, were not set by the person driving, but by the road sign posted, and were actually obeyed

You would hear, "Excuse me" when someone was walking by, instead of them shoving past you

A gentleman removed his hat when he entered a building

A door was held for the next person entering or exiting and that person said "Thank you"

Children were taught manners and respect

Adults used the manners they learned as children, and had respect for others

Families gathered together to enjoy each others company instead is sitting in front of the TV

TV was safe and non-offensive to watch even with young children

V-chips replaced Parental involvement and guidance

Having a party was a true celebration instead of an excuse to party

Calling ones self a Christian actually meant you served God

School violence meant the school-yard bully might rough you up and take your lunch money instead of pulling a gun on you or classmates

Road rage was the exception and not the norm

Random acts of kindness truly meant Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

A Thank You note was sent or received for a gift or kind gesture

Stationery was something you purchased at the store and not something used to decorate an email

Writing a letter meant time and thought went into what one wrote and not writing in haste and hitting the send button

Being a child and playing in the snow, making snowmen, snow angles and having snowball fights

Walking through the fallen autumn leaves or raking them into a pile and jumping into them

Making sandcastles at the beach

Laying in the grass and picking out shapes in the clouds

Cuddling up beside your mom or dad and listening to them read you a bedtime story

Baking holiday cookies and decorating them

The magic of Christmas you felt as a child

Having a slumber party and staying up all night talking and playing games

Holding your newborn child for the first time

Seeing your child off to school for the first time

Proudly displaying your childs artwork on the refridgerator

Seeing the pride in your childs eyes when they first learn to do something on their own

The joy you felt on your wedding day

These are only my personal opinions and thoughts, you do not have to like them or agree with them. I do hope they make you reflect on life just a bit