I’m currently traveling in the midwest and had the opportunity to attend the reunion of the Ossian Class of 1944, which my grandmother was a part of. Everyone in the class of 1944 grew up in the Great Depression. Their views on life, family and how to live are close to each of their hearts. Most that I spoke to have been married to the same spouse for up to 64 years and feel strongly that the younger generations don’t know how to live. I was confused by this and asked Gene Dettmer to clarify. He said the younger generations spend too much, buy too many expensive cars and have far too much credit card debt.
Gene and Jackie Dettmer met in elementary school and have been married 64 years.
Most of the class of 1944 grew up without telephones, some without cars and all without the many conveniences we take for granted daily. They remember Saturday evenings sitting on the front porch with family and friends listening to radio shows. Only a few have cell phones and most that do have them at the request of their children. Only my grandmother at 83 texts and only two others have email. One couple, married sixty four years met in grade school. I was charmed by the afternoon and touched by the warmth of these octogenarians, their independance, their desire to travel, their dedication to family and their gratitude for every day they share with those they love.