If you think the world has changed in a short amount of time, you'll feel that way even more after eavesdropping on this conversation. It was sent to me by friend Aletha in Vermont.

One evening a grandson was talking to his grandpa about current events.The grandson asked his grandpa what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general.Grandpa replied, "Well, let me think a minute. I was born before television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, Frisbees and the pill.There were no credit cards, laser beams or ball point pens. Man had not invented panty hose, air conditioners, dishwashers and clothes dryers. Plus, man had not yet walked on the moon.Your grandmother and I got married first, and then lived together.Every family had a father and a mother.Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, 'Sir'.And after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, 'Sir.'We were before gay rights, computer-dating, dual careers, day-care centers, and group therapy.Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense.We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions.We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent.Draft dodgers were people who closed their front doors when the evening breeze started.Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends - not purchasing condominiums.We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings.We listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the president's speeches on our radios.If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan' on it, it was junk.The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam.Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of.We had 5 & 10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents.Ice cream cones, phone calls, and a Pepsi were all a nickel.And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail one letter and two postcards.You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, but who could afford one? Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon.In my day, 'grass' was mowed, 'coke' was a cold drink, 'pot' was something your mother cooked in and 'rock music' was your grandmother's lullaby. 'Aids' were helpers in the principal's office, 'chip' meant a piece of wood, 'hardware' was found in a hardware store and 'software' wasn't even a word.We were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby.No wonder people call us 'old and confused' and say there is a generation gap... and so how old do you think I am?"Exactly how old is grandpa?I would bet you're thinking of a very old man. If so, you're in for a shock. This is pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time.Time is moving on faster than any of us can imagine.Grandpa is only 59.