Half a Century! (Blog #29)

Dwight David Eisenhower was president in 1959. That was a half century ago! Although, I certainly do not ever remember seeing one, the "Flip top" TV was obviously a hot thing on the market. Have you ever imagined what it would be like to go back in time and pay the prices for gas and other common items that were prevalent at that time?

Following are some of the average costs and values from 1959:

House: $30,000
Average income: $5,016
Ford car: $2,132-$3,979
Milk: $1.01
Gas: $.25
Bread $.20
Postage stamp: $.04
Brook Trout: $ .59
T-Bone steak: $1.09 lb.
Sirloin Tip Steaks: $.89 lb.
Nestles Quick 1 lb can: $.39

Tiny Tears doll: $9.88
Steve Canyon Jet Helmet: $2.88

The Viet Nam war started in 1959. Of course, the United States did not send combat troops to that "conflict" until 1965. Historians are familiar with the human toll in terms of U.S. soldiers and politicos will be familiar with the unrest that took place here on U.S. soil. Today, we are involved in two major war zones - Afghanistan and Iraq - and participate in peace keeping missions elsewhere. Some have been bold to call our current involvement around the world as "our own Viet Nam". Once again, there has been substantial human toll and anguish. In that regard, not much has changed in the last half century.

In the next couple of weeks, I will continue to take a look back at 1959 and the half century that has passed since then. Some may say it is not good to spend so much time reminiscing about the past. What's done is done and let's move on! To that I would have to respond, reflection on one's past is part of growing older. God knows every moment of our lives - the good, the bad and the ugly. He informed the prophet Jeremiah that he knew him before he was formed in his mother's womb. As God is able to know us then, He is certainly able to know the rest of our lives. Go ahead and reflect, remembering to give thanks for every moment and every day!

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~ DB Turnmire