I Remember the 3-Cent Stamp!

As a young girl in the 1940s, I remember going into the post office and paying three cents for a stamp for a regular letter! As you know, that same 1 ounce letter costs 76 cents to mail in 2026!

So, in my writings I talk a lot about past history because that is what I have lived—as many of you have. Memories are what we have. The younger generation does not have those memories. It may be what they have heard from their grandparents, but isn’t realistic in their view of today’s world.

We lived through the devastation of WWII. Our young men went to war across the world on battle fronts across the Pacific and across Europe. And, in present day we listen for news about war in the Middle East. Doesn’t the Bible say that there will always be wars and rumors of war?

Grocery items were sometimes limited to—if we had a ration stamp for a particular item such as sugar or flour. That also included such items as tires because of the war. I found my own ration stamp book in my dad’s things. It still has stamps in it—but I don’t think they will be needed to help me purchase groceries in today’s world of abundance. I hope our world does not come to that again!

I saw this description of the ‘recent past’ that seems so “dated” to the younger generation: “We drank water straight from the garden hose, rode our bikes without helmets, and survived just fine because common sense was our absolute best protection.”

Looking back to my elementary days, I rode my bike all over town. There was no danger of being abducted. It was a safe world, and my parents didn’t worry about my safety. It is a different story in today’s world.

We played jacks on the front porch. I spent many hours playing with my paper dolls, and designing and coloring paper doll clothes for them.

And then, there is present day—so different from past generations. Today’s generation mostly lives a life of abundance. When I was young, I did not expect to get new clothes and shoes on a weekly basis. It was one pair of new shoes for Easter, and one pair of shoes to start school in the fall. There were not many store-bought clothes, as my grandmother sewed, and made most of what I wore.

We survived, and have memories that the younger generation cannot relate to. Their memories will be their stories to tell someday.