Time changes all things, as it passes in its relentless march through our lives. It changes what we know and how we learn, how we relate to our world and to each other and what we value. One thing it changed, in an immense way, is family values. However, the change was so gradual; it was scarcely noticed for a long time.

In the 50's when I was a child, we each had a predetermined role to play and we seldom strayed from it. Moms were the moms and stayed home and cared for the house and younger siblings while dads, who were the providers, went to work each morning. The kids, who were only kids, went to school and paid attention as the teacher tried to pound math equations or Shakespeare into our heads.

We were never confused about our roles. Kids did not tell the parents what to do, nor did they demand the things they wanted. They ask for them in a respectful way. Moms never ask your permission to come into your room, nor did dads. Kids on the other hand did ask permission to enter the parent's room. Large amounts of cash were not handed to us for personal use. We earned a small allowance, which we were encouraged to save. We had no checkbooks and credit cards had not even been thought of.

In school, there were no classes on sex education. Actually, you could end up in big trouble if you even mentioned the word sex. This was a subject that our parents were supposed to teach us beginning with the talk about The Birds and the Bees. Parents were also the ones who taught us about personal hygiene and manners. We said Sir and Mame when we addressed adults and used words seldom heard today such as I beg your pardon, excuse me, please, thank-you and may I.

We started the day with the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag. We studied the subjects we would need to see us through life. We had music and art class once a week and history, math, English/literature, geography, health and science everyday. We learned about the greatness of our country and to respect our leaders or replace them. Just because you did not agree with someone was no reason to call them names or malign their office.

We had no phones, TVs or computers in our classrooms, we learned from a textbook. Yet we managed to turn out the very men and women who would go on to be the inventors of today's technologically advanced inventions.

We had recess instead of gym class. It was not highly organized by adults and so was a time we looked forward to, with enthusiasm. We were very active, playing

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