Somebody put a post on Facebook a few days ago, reminiscing about the way it used to be; how we would fix things when they broke, instead of just throwing them out and getting a new one. It struck a nerve with me, and I thought how sad it is this is true not only with things but with love. Back in the day, “Until death do us part” meant something.
Back in the Day
In the old days
When things were broken
You didn’t throw them away
You fixed them
Your sock had a hole in it
You darned it
Darned if I know why
They called it darning
When a sock got too thin
Or the holes were too big
You used it as a rag
To polish the old furniture
I remember grandpa and grandma
It seemed like they fought a lot
Sometimes nothing more than
Grandma’s steely stare
Grandpa bent over the sink
Washing his hands
Seeing her anger over his shoulder
Reflecting in the kitchen window
Next thing you know, they’re in their chairs
Side by side, talking about the day
Making up, but not saying so
Just loving each other quietly… easily
Back in the day
Things and love got holes in them
You darned them, patched them
Glued them back together
Throwing them away… never crossed your mind
Copyright © 2013 C Mashburn
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Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 
Raivenne said
Ah yeah, those unspoken arguments, and make-ups! I do remember those. Modern love has become this convoluted contract with more escape clauses than anything else. So few seem to want to stick it out, long enough to work it out.
charlesmashburn said
Throw -away marriages, if, that is, they even get married.
Thanks for the visit and comment, Raivenne. Always appreciate you!
Sherry Mashburn said
simpler times . . . better times. Sad commentary on today.
charlesmashburn said
I tried to lighten it up, but, yes, it is sad.
Susan said
Then Walmart made socks, a dollar a pair…and lawyers joined in on the throw away fair.
Time real simply, is money… disposable wares, if anyone cares, no wonder? The divorce rate ain’t funny.
Thumbs up Charles.
charlesmashburn said
Just bought a ten-pack for $8.99 at Walmart yesterday. I learned the time-is-money thing in commercial construction; cheaper to throw an old 2×4 away than it is to pull the nails out of it and use it again. When I was first starting out in the business, I’d pick up nails when I dropped them. The boss yelled at me, “Quit wasting time! Nails are cheaper than your wages!”
The divorce rate… I got no room to talk, but I promise you this: It won’t happen again.
Thanks, Susan! I appreciate you!
Die Reise meines Leben said
I love your piece. Absolutely hit the nail right on the head. Till death do us part sounds like an ancient statement. These days I find that love in a relationship is as valuable as commodity. Just as we keep buying new stuff and excited about new products; Whenever it becomes a little rough, people just chuck it out and move on to the next person. How sad is that?
Thanks for sharing.
charlesmashburn said
It is very sad.
I’m glad you like the poem. Thanks for visiting and commenting!
brian miller said
it is a whole different world…and you make us see that….used to be things we worth fixing…like love…and now its better to just throw it away it seems….lot of truth in this one man…
charlesmashburn said
Yep, too much truth to it. Thanks, Brian!
ayala said
So true..everything is disposable now …even people. A different world. Well said!
charlesmashburn said
Yes’m. Don’t like it or them, toss ’em to the curb.
Thanks for the visit and comment, Ayala!
lenwilliamscarver said
So true my friend, and I can not say I have faught the fight of disposable, convience and buy again life., but when it comes to marriage, children and elderly…THESE ARE NOT DISPOSABLES!! thank you for reminding us .:)
charlesmashburn said
I hear you, Len! We need to get back to the basics, especially where love is concerned.
Thanks for the comment!
zongrik said
so cool to have had their example of how to be in love, and how to have a loving relationship
not alone
charlesmashburn said
Yes, it was cool. I was able to view some very good examples in my time. If I had followed those good examples, I might have saved myself some grief.
Thanks for the visit and comment!
Mary said
Ha, you are right about socks. No one darns any more. Nor uses old socks for rags. And relationships too….they stood the test of time…like socks!
charlesmashburn said
Actually, I do use old socks for rags. They make good ones!
Thanks, Mary!
wolfsrosebud said
so true… knew a rich lady who saved the foil from the soft dog food can… amazing what a depression can do for one
charlesmashburn said
I remember re-using foil. Still do it once in a while, but not too often. We’ve gotten lazy.
Thanks for stopping by!
Linda Kruschke said
When my husband and I got married we were able to tell the minister during our pre-wedding counseling that both of our sets of parents were still married to each other. My parents are both gone now, but his are still married over 60 years. And we’ll celebrate our 27th this year! Peace, Linda
charlesmashburn said
Outstanding, Linda! I love to hear stories like yours!
Thanks for the visit and comment!
pandamoniumcat said
Oh a wonderful poem… things lasted once…now you can’t even begin to fix anything… Loved this! 🙂
charlesmashburn said
I can still fix some things, but it’s a rare occasion.
Thanks, Dianne!
rmp said
so true! I still turn socks into dust rags…at least when I decide to dust that is. definitely a lovely sentiment. I enjoyed your use of the word darned.
charlesmashburn said
I kind of enjoyed that little playful romp with the word darned, too!
Thanks for the visit and comment!
Myrna said
I guess my husband and I, though hopefully not from your grandparent’s generation, had that attitude. Forty four years. There’ve been many holes. We mend them. I suppose we’ll mend, ’til death do us part.
Love your poem.
charlesmashburn said
A wonderful thing you and your husband have going. I applaud you both!
Thanks for the visit and comment!
Ginny Brannan said
Nice story with much wisdom! Husband & I married 31 years now, and no, we don’t always agree, but we “understand” each other, we forgive each other, and know that life would not be the same without each other. No “throw aways” here! BTW, I still use worn out socks to dust with too!
charlesmashburn said
Another wonderful success story! Thanks for sharing it, Ginny! And thanks for stopping by
jelillie said
Thanks Charles. I loved this and so agree. I meant my vows.
charlesmashburn said
I’m glad you like it, and I’m glad you meant your vows!
Thanks for the read and comment!
catnipoflife said
Charles, that is so wonderful! Your words brought back so many wonderful memories…I could see my Grandmother and Papa so clearly! Thank you for sharing 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the wonderful comment. I love it when I can bring back good memories!
Rod E. Kok said
Very well said, sir. A wonderful write that makes me remember when my bride of 16 years and I patch up our problems, it’s what we promised to do.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Rod! And thanks for the good report on patching things up with your wife. That is wonderful!
Laurie Kolp said
So true… love the comparison of old socks and marriage.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Laurie! I appreciate the comment!
ManicDdaily said
Ha. I think people have unrealistic expectations of others and of relationships now, and even of external circumstances. They do not understand the truth of Murphy’s Law! And that they cannot feel singled out by it! Oh well. Thanks. Very charming!
I, for one, have boxes and boxes of old socks! k.
charlesmashburn said
Boxes and boxes of socks? Oh my! Sorry, I couldn’t resist!
I think you may have hit the nail on the head with one word: expectations. Realistic or unrealistic, they can destroy a relationship. Loving a person for who they are–flaws and all–that’s the trick.
Thanks for the thought-filled comment, k!
ManicDdaily said
That actually sounds bad – the boxes of old socks – what I meant is that I have a ton of them. I do tend to buy new also, but don’t throw out the old. I am a big lover of socks. k.
charlesmashburn said
Keep talking… 🙂
Heaven (@asweetlust) said
Those were the days…fixing, darning and patching up ~ I agree with you on not even thinking of throwing it away, we make the best of the situation ~
charlesmashburn said
Yes, those were the days. Long gone, I reckon. Thanks for stopping by. Always a pleasure!
Tony said
Of course, back in the day many things were a ot easier to fix. Cars are sooooo complex now – while socks are too thin to darn 🙂 Marriages, on the other hand – well those just have to be worked at, but the rewards are usually well worth the effort for those who try.
charlesmashburn said
All true, Tony. I used to be able to fix almost anything on a car; nowadays, I can’t do much of anything!
As for marriage, I was terrible at it back in the day, but I’m much better at it today, and I am thankful for the reversal!
Thanks for the visit and comment!
rebelle said
captured a time gone by nicely…
charlesmashburn said
Thank you!
claudia said
i remember my grandma darning socks…a lot of work..and heck yeah…life is so faced paced and with so many throw-away articles…and not only talking about goods..
charlesmashburn said
That’s what I’m talkin bout, Claudia! Thanks for the visit and comment!
kelly said
So true, there is much to miss about days gone by, it is sad the things we throw away so easily these days.
charlesmashburn said
Yes, it is sad. Thanks for the visit and comment, Kelly!
Kim Nelson said
In the case of socks and such, rag bag and buy new is now the practical choice. However, when it comes to relationships, unless abuse is somehow involved it takes less work to fix an existing one than nurture another.
http://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2013/01/27/empowered/
charlesmashburn said
I agree about the relationships.
Thanks, Kim!
charlesmashburn said
Reblogged this on Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still… and know that I am God" and commented:
Came across this one today, and still kinda like it. I reckon some of you folks probably will too