Maybe I’m getting old, but I’m longing for the “good ol’ days” lately.  Maybe it has to do with simplifying my life that’s making me wish for the days gone by, who knows.  Whatever the case, here are two things I miss from my childhood that I wish my kids could experience….

1. Video Rental Stores

Sure, Netflix is great for quick and easy entertainment, but there’s something I miss about those trips to the video store on Friday and Saturday nights.  The smell of stale popcorn, the buzz of the florescent lights and catching a glimpse of a movie playing on the TV up in the corner while you browsed.  That feeling when you rushed to the new release section, followed it by its alphabetical order, and found the movie you’d come in for.  The thrill of finding the ONE video left on an entire section filled with empty cases.

I even miss needing to wait for that new release.  It taught me not to expect instant gratification. Instead I’d spend time browsing the outer walls looking for another new movie that might be suitable.  If nothing turned up, it was to the middle section – usually to musicals or maybe to comedies for me. Or if I wasn’t trying to look too cool I’d settle for something from the children and family section where toddler toys were scattered around on the floor.

Then there was that off limits room I didn’t understand.  It said I had to be 18 so I couldn’t go in and usually only big scary men came out.  I honestly don’t think I knew what was actually in that room until I was in college.  For that I’m thankful.

Once I’d settled on a movie, or the group of us finally made up our mind, we might grab some candy from the check out counter and be on our way.  But not before we walked around the counter empty handed to grab the rentals.  I always thought that was so strange, to get it on the other side.

I guess I miss physically going to the video store.  I’m not sure what it is I miss the most….making eye contact with other people, seeing and touching the video cases, smelling the popcorn (even if I never ate it because it’s not my thing), having candy options.  Whatever the case.  I miss it.

2. Group road trips before cell phones

We had to be so much more creative before cell phones came onto the scene when it came to group road trips.  Even with just two cars, there was no texting or quick call if you got separated.  You also couldn’t just keep following the GPS and know you’d all end up in the same place eventually.  Both cars had a map or set of directions written out and you had to stay together to see if someone made a pit stop.  Do you call them pit stops?  Or is that just related to the NASCAR influence in my childhood?

Anyway.  There was more teamwork. More creativity.  Like window signs.

I  miss window signs.  The driver needing to match the speed of the car next to you while everyone else tried to read the sign.  If it was in pencil or pen it was harder to see. Marker was always best.  And let’s be honest, the driver always tried to read it too.  Not safe.  Just like texting and driving. If you were the one writing the sign, you had to make it short and sweet.

I remember driving to the beach when I was around 6 and the car we were traveling with was holding something up in the window.  My dad drove closer and we could see it was a magnadoodle  with a message on it.  A giant letter P.  Time for a pit stop.

During youth group trips we used walkie talkies.  So much more fun than cell phones.  Constant, immediate contact.  The giggles, pointing out roadside attractions, trying to share a song from the radio (which never worked), two cars trying to talk at the same time so neither message got through, people who put their mouth on the speaker and you understood nothing.  *sigh*  Yeah, I miss that.

Or maybe I just miss my teenage years.  All the crazy adventures and outings.  The carefree days.

Yeah.  I’m getting old.