In the suburbs of middle-class America in the 1970s, adults gathered for bridge club games, serving hors d’oeuvres that showcased popular supermarket products and recipes of the time – crackers, soda, wine, cheese spreads, minisandwiches – while children played outside, downstairs, in their rooms or back at their homes while babysitted.

It was a special time.

Men and women reminisced about their college years – sorority socials, sock hops, late-night study sessions, sports injuries, choral performances.

Now, sitting in an independent/assisted living community with your peers, you recall both the college years and the ’70s reminiscing.

Your children, grownup with children (and grandchildren) of their own.

Computers, email, electronic social networks…words and phrases you’ve heard about on TV or read about in newspapers but otherwise completely unfamiliar to you.

Your time is free and yet paid for.

Still more comfortable with friends your age than being the “wise” [great]grandmother/aunt.

Social graces your specialty – polite discussions about sports, wishing all players a safe game, no extreme fan behaviour or rude demeanor; religious beliefs assumed, not worn on your sleeve like a badge; politics a personal decision, not an in-your-face confrontation.

In your day, this seemed to be the most common form of conversation.

Now, rudeness and crudeness prevail.  Headlines blast drug abuse, sex scandals and economic turmoil like a disease run out of control.

When did the least common denominator become most prevalent?

Why can’t we raise everyone up instead of putting people down?

Finally, you stop subscribing to newspapers, magazines and cable/satellite television.

Instead, you increase the number of weekly bridge club games and reminisce with people who understand your desire to live in simpler, quieter, kinder times.

A lifetime of experiences you share and compare, not preach to younger generations.