We know we are getting better when we can think back how we used to be or what we used to do or better still what we did it with. Some people refer to those times and things as the good old days.

I'm coming from the time of about 1941, my birth year from a woman 43 years old, my mother. To start with she was born in 1898, boy was that a long time ago.

When I had my stroke January 2004, my mind would not focus in that direction, now I can tell the difference. Thats improvement in memory. I'm thankful so here I go.

I remember starting school, 1st grade, one pair tennis shoes(hi top All Stars), two pairs of blue jeans, 3 shirts. Kids today would refuse to go if thats all they had.

No running water or bathroom w/tub. Outhouse way out back and water well with a hand pump. Heat water in a kettle on a wood burning stove to wash dishes. Heat some more to for bath in a #3 tub. Buy blocks of ice for the ice box to keep some foods cool. No refrigerators then. Good old days?

Cut what grass you had in the yard with a push mower. I supplied the power. Played with marbles, no basketball goals like now in every driveway. Played cowboys and Indians riding an old broom sick as your horse.

Watching Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, later on Zorro dressed in black with his whip all in black and white TV. no color then. Your dad and older brothers were listening to baseball on radio. Mom in the kitchen cooking and baking on the wood burning stove with the wood you had to chop up to fit the stove space. Those were the days.

Imagine a kitchen today without a radio,TV, a telephone,computer, microwave, double oven,self cleaning stove, refrig w/ water and ice in the door and auto washer and dryer close by in pantry or garage with an extra freezer.

My point is how did we get along without those items we cherish so dearly now??

The same way we can still function after our strokes with what we have remaining now. These are our good old days. What about those young and old, their lives ended??? We have survived thus far and can recall the good old days and still get around (slowly) but we are making it. Amazing how much we want to be back like we were but can function as we are now. Disable or able?? Handicap or Limited??

Take a good look at those with no arms, legs or paralized from birth. We can be thankful we have what we got(it could be worse) and enjoy some of the things others never had. :Look at us, we can still use the computer, what a JOY.:

As I stated up front, my mind and some memory is returning. I am thankful, I hope other survivors can feel the same one day soon. I am concerned for all mankind and I wish all caregivers and survivors the best. Stay positive in ATTITUDE it goes a long, long way.