I remember..

whats happened?
that's pretty much all i can say.

i remember when rules were absolutes. i remember when dad said something it was finished. there was no quarter.
i remember when a mistake was unacceptable. this sounds harsh, but it made me better. its sounds horrible, but it kept order and made things predictable.
i remember when touchy-feely didn't exist, when a hug was sacred. we showed affection in other, more meaningful ways.
i remember when they showed true and real emotion, and they showed that life wasn't easy, but if you try real hard, you'll get what you need.
i remember when discipline was pure and final. perhaps shown to much. but the consequences of your actions were always known.
i remember when Easter candy was about anticipation and excitement, not about obligation or meaningless tradition.
i remember when Christmas was about God and you saw him in the excitement and the love shown by family. not having to get a tree and decorate it.
i remember when life was about duty and obligation, not about whining about it.

i wish remembering wasn't the only thing i could do about it.

is this growing up?
life losing all sparkle and shine?
losing what you get to do, replaced by who and what you have to be?