I Remember

Remember when? I do.

I Remember when a family was defined as having a father and mother.

I Remember when mom took care of you when you were sick.

I Remember when getting divorced was rare.

I Remember when the teachers at school called home when there was a problem.

I Remember when parents addressed the problem and not the teacher.

I Remember when acting out in school meant the principals office and the dreaded paddle.

I Remember the father and son activities in school.

I Remember the father and daughter dances.

I Remember when both parents went to the parent / teacher conferences.

I Remember when parents wanted to know where you were going and when you were coming home.

I Remember when families sat down and ate dinner together.

I Remember when T.V shows taught basic values.

I Remember learning from those values.

I Remember when having sex as a teenager was looked down upon by other teens.

I Remember when cursing was equally as bad.

I Remember when Hollywood wasn’t shy about making movies with Christian themes. The Ten Commandments, Ben Hur, The Greatest Story Ever Told. I Remember when people went to see these pictures.

I Remember when the family went to church together.

I Remember when dad wore a tie to church and the children their best school clothes.

I Remember when religious leaders were truly revered.

Society defines its values based on what the people accept as being right or wrong. For all those who remember as I do, let not those values fade. For all those who are too young to remember, you too will one day say “I Remember.” What values will society have accepted at that time? All I can say is I am truly blessed to be able to say today...”I Remember ”?

Dan Celentano has worked with a variety of at risk kids for close to 30 years. He is author of a book for teenagers entitled Ten Essential Facts of Life Every Teenager Should Know ( see www.teenage-book.com ), and gives advice to teenagers on his web site www.choicesforteens.com In addition to this, Mr. Celentano speaks to high school students on various issues having to do with teenagers. Currently Dan is preparing for his next project which is working with blind children on his ranch.

Dan Celentano is available for freelance writing and can be contacted at ranch@copper.net.