Two Dimes

I bent down by my stoop, and I placed my two dimes in my white sock.

This was my "emergency phone call" money. It cost a dime to make a call. It was to be used ONLY and IF I needed to reach my parents, (which was highly unlikely). I walked to the corner, passing the attached brownstones and waited for the Church Avenue bus. Like any other 11 year old, I was anticipating a fun afternoon with my cousins. 

I boarded the bus and dropped my quarter into the metal coin box, and asked for a transfer. I got off at 39th Street and 5th Avenue.  Seeing the bus, some distance away, I was able to glance at the many different comic books which were displayed outside the corner candy story. My favorite, of course, was Archie. I thought about buying some 1 cent candies, and surprising my cousins with a treat, but from the corner of my eye; oh, my gosh! The bus had suddenly appeared!

Once at my cousins', we went bike riding to the school yard, had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch and just hung out in the backyard.. telling jokes. Time flew. I said my good-byes, and walked alone up the street; passing strangers, watching kids playing hop-scotch, and petting an occasional stray dog. For my return trip, I crossed 5th Avenue and stood in front of the very majestic O.L.P.H. Waiting with me at the bus stop were some scruffy-looking young men, and an old woman. The bus came, and I started my trip back home.

Like I said earlier..I never used my 2 dimes. When I got home, I pulled (from inside my tee shirt,) my house key which I wore around my neck on a heavy string..almost like a necklace! Entering my house,  I took the 2 dimes from inside my sock, walked to the bedroom which I shared with my sister, and dropped them in my piggy bank. I must have saved, at least, four dollars; I will count the money tonight!

Glancing at the clock, I washed my hands and set the dinner table. Mom came home at 5, carrying some grocery bags. I ran to kiss her and took the bags from her arms. "How was your day, Krissy?" she asked.  My answer was always the same.."It was great, Mommy! How was yours?"

Fast forward..2012..my granddaughter/ or your daughter is 11 years old.

• "Mom, can I have some money? Like, maybe 10 dollars? I want to get pizza with my friends." 
• "Who is picking us up after practice? Is it your turn to drive, mom?"         
• "I would never wear that necklace..it doesn't even match my earrings."
• "Eeewww. How long has that been sitting out? I'm not touching it!"
• "You don't expect me to walk there, do you?"
• "Who took my cell phone? I can't find it!!"
• "Daddy, can you drive me? It's only two blocks away!"
• "I don't have anything to wear!"
• "I have no privacy. Get them out of MY ROOM?!"
• "Everyone gets money whenever they want it; everyone except me!"
• "I'm texting my friend about the test tomorrow..I swear."
• "Mom, no one rides their bike, anymore."
• "I'm the only one, of all my friends, that has to clean her own room!"
• "If I set the table and load the dishwasher, will I be able to go to the movies tomorrow?"

Yes, things have changed. No one is denying that. Life was not complicated when I was 11. It was simple. We had more responsibilities. (What does that word even mean today?) Speaking only for myself, my parents did not give in to my every desire. Our society, today, is made of "disposable this and thats." So when something breaks, it is replaced, rather than fixed.  Knowing this, kids (I believe) leave things laying around, and do not worry about their possible loss.

We enjoyed being outdoors! Now, a 'playdate' may mean sitting in front of the X-Box and playing for several hours. Our love stories involved Archie and 2 girls..Veronica and Betty. No zombies or vampires!  We weren't suspicious of people who were different from us.  We had chores and we didn't know we could make 'deals' with our parents. We valued the dollar..even the 2 dimes! (I know..you're laughing..because we still do!)

Peace.