I would have liked to grow up in the ‘50s, too

So many times I wish I had grown up in the 1950s. Just like those in the Class of '54.

Those "Leave it to Beaver," days. With dances. Soda shops. Football games. The time when, "Andy Griffith" was going to be televising its new television program every week.

Boys didn't dress like a bum. (Sorry, boys.) Girls didn't hate each other the way they do now. (Sorry, girls.)

I certainly don't care for the way people treat one another over the internet.

So I stopped using it. I rarely visit those sites. I honestly don't care for the drama. I've had enough to last me a lifetime.

And I'm tired.

So tired of everything going on in the world.

Yes, sometimes I wish I had been born in those times. Days where all the teenagers had jobs after school and helped their families with work to be done around the house. They were truly a family unit. Dinner at the table together.

I had to grow up in the decade with big hair and blue eyeshadow. Yeah, I know. Just awful.

Then there are days when I wish I could be growing up in today's world. Not often, but once in a while. Like when I think I could be knowledgeable with technology. I could have grown up with it and know how to use it very easily. I would never have gotten a permanent in my hair in today's world.

I did however, grow up with the very best music. Ever. In my opinion, '70s music can never be outdone or replaced.

I still listen to it today. I couldn't name one popular song on the radio.

But even my children can sing you each word to Leo Sayer's, "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing."

They had to be around my obsession when they were growing up.

And I learned about this the hard way. My son was a teenager at the time. We had gone to the grocery store together and he asked me to buy him some groceries.

I responded by letting him know I didn't have much money. Which is nothing new. At all.

And then, Leo Sayer came across the store's public address system. I said if he could sing this song word-for-word, I would buy him whatever he wanted.

I mean, what teenage boy living in the 2010s is going to know a song from 40 years ago? Especially that one.

That child sang that song from beginning to end and didn't miss a beat.

They do pay attention.

Hence, Julie didn't get any groceries. But Caleb certainly got a lot of pop and chips.

Touche, Caleb. Touche.

A moment I will always remember. And one of my all-time favorites.

Like when my youngest was blaring The Eagles music from his bedroom while still in high school. These are my finest and proudest moments. Yes, they really are. I am not that difficult a person to please.

But yes, it would have been something to have lived during the '50s. I believe we all think about a decade we would have liked to have grown up in that we didn't.

How different would your life have been? Because each decade has always offered very different lifestyles.

Like, maybe I was meant to be a hippie. I love their clothes and would absolutely wear them if anyone has anything left from the '70s they no longer want.

I mean, if you had a choice, what decade would you choose?

(Stenger is Community editor for the Herald-Star and the Weirton Daily Times.)