50+ Lifestyles

How Things Have Changed! – PUBLISHER’S CORNER

By David W. Deuth, CFSP
President, Weerts Funeral Home

One of my grandfathers was born on the first day of September; he died on the last day of September. So when this month rolls around each year, I take pause at that.

I really didn’t know him all that well – he died when I was just seven years old. A stroke several years previously had left him unable to speak, but I remember going to their house.

I remember Grandpa in the hospital bed in the family room.

I remember when he died. And I remember going to his funeral.

It dawned on me recently that if any of my grandparents were still living today, each of them would be more than 100 years old. I’m not certain why that hadn’t registered with me before, but it struck me as something of an “a ha” moment.

And it got me thinking….a lot has changed in a hundred years.

What would they recognize today if they were here? The gadgetry alone would have to seem outlandish to them. Televisions with remote controls – and more than three channels? Incredible! TIVO and DVR?? Really?!? Cordless telephones in the house? How convenient! Cell phones – say nothing of smart phones? You’ve got to be kidding!

And then I wondered things like: how would I explain an ATM? A Debit Card? The internet? Google??

And how would I explain the iPad?? And Gigabytes?? And apps??

Somehow, it all made me think about that great old television show, I Love Lucy, when Desi would say…. “Lucy! You have some ‘splaining to do!!”

Things have changed in the past hundred years, that‘s for sure. In fact, I started a new article series on that this month. You’ll find this month’s article on page 20.

We hope you have a great end to your summer. As we anticipate autumn, we can look forward to magnificent colors as they change on the trees. That hasn’t changed in a hundred years, either…

Remember Well.