86 Years: A Whole Lot of Change
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ม.ค. 2018
- For 86 years, Charles Mercer has been watching the sunrise and sunset. The world has changed a lot more than most of us know. Mr. Mercer puts it best, "There's just a whole lot of difference and a whole lot of change. Join us again for another Growing America Story as we take a look back.
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My Gfather in his mid 90s got stuck telling the same stories of WWII but from his mouth he said - when he was young "people went in the house to eat and out to pee." Then he would say - "Now a days people go in the house to pee and out to eat." He always got a kick out of that.
He would also say that when an old man dies - a library burns.
How right he was....
Wow!! He was a smart man to say the least..and God bless him for his service.
Absolutely ryan, my dad is 95 soon to be 96, he can't hear thunder but is still able to drive! Matter of fact he came by my house and wanted to cut my grass because he was bored and loves to do it! Dad grew up in town, upstairs of a store building! His dad was dead and grandma worked in the cotton mill! Dad ran the streets and neighborhoods of town! He went off to the army in ww2! Came home and raised a family of 3 children! He has seen just about everything that has happened in our town! As a child thru adulthood I have been given a history lesson on who, what, when, where of people that have come and gone! Dad can't tell you what he had for lunch yesterday but if you as him about an event that happened in 1934 he can tell you about it like it was yesterday!! Today I am considered a unofficial county historian, lol, I love history and I do know quite a bit but not everything! I love my hometown and my county, it has alot of history! My mom and dad have outlived almost everyone of their generation in town!!! The editor of the local newspaper told me my dad was a legend the other day!
@@scott1395 I really enjoyed reading your story. Thank you and may god bless your family.
The library thing got me. Too true.
Wow... WISDOM 🇲🇽👍💯🤠
There’s something to be said about looking a man in the eye and giving a firm handshake and keeping your word.
Currently banned here in the uk. You aren't allowed to shake someone's hand. God help us.
@@richardbarlow7337 fuck off
Seems very few people kept there word anymore.
I was raised that way, live that way, and my children continue that way.
Psssst..... people were shitbags back then to. The ideal you hold on to is a complete fabrication. A falsehood.
God and men like this made America great!
@Looking Out for My Own the reason our country is on the decline is because people have turned away from God. I still wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in the world.
If you think it’s such a “shithole” as you said, feel free to move to another country.
This was three years ago. If this old gentleman is still around, he’d be horrified at what America looks like now.
It's not a whole lot different lol, I'd say it started getting bad around the turn of the century in my opinion.
Yeah this place sucks today nothing like it was back in the day too many people too much bullshit
Thanks trump
@@mailliw75 can I ask you what Trump has to do with it
@@gigabilitydontask1549 Trump 2024
I stand and tip me hat to this gentleman, May The One God always smile down on you and yours! Thank you for sharing....ATB
Compare his world to the cesspool we live in. I’m 78 years old and I remember some of his world. In place of a handshake and your word, we have 15 ambulance chasing lawyers.
I cant imagine how wretched the world had become in 78 years. In the past 40 its been enough to make me realize this experiment isn't going to last.
@@jamessm4401 bless you brother.
Hell yes!
And tragedy chasing politicians
Richard please help teach us younger men some of the ways we lost. Americans need good wisdom our pastors, politicians and media have sold us out sir.
I could sit and talk to this man for hours.
but you haven't
Me to
I had many of conversations with him!
A man's man I love listening to ole timers like this awesome gentleman. He has seen so much I can only pray I'm so blessed to make it 86 years.
Some folks want to meet celebrities... I could spend hours listening to this fine MAN!
This is a real man... real world. Majority of people couldn't survive without a store. These days behind us are gone and it's a damn shame. I work, and am proud of my hands, my work clothes, my life. Raised in the country work and morals reflect that.
Seen bumper sticker the other day on a very nice truck. Dirty hands clean money. Think it applies here.
Not in the worst way but in many ways I hope something happens and gets triggered having us all having to go back to at LEAST how things were 50 years ago and the way it was to live... THEN LET ALL THE WEEDS DIE OUT
@@jesse-4rm500 most people wouldn't survive like that nowadays. they just have convulsions if there was no cell phone service
Amen brother
When I put my self in his shoes and looked at his daddy’s track after he died. That was all he had left of his daddy. That broke me. Rip pops. I miss you very much. Mom ain’t ever been the same.
Its a sad time when at 42 years old, I really wish I was 82. I hate this place and this thing we created, or allowed to evolve. It's embarrassing, heartbreaking, and disappointment all in one.
No doubt. 42 as well. Travesty
Its good that you care man!Don't watch so much news,its overwhelming.
@@richardmorris7063 copy that, just trying to keep on keeping on.
36. I grew up in the 80's - 90's and loved every second. I'm with ya but fuck I don't wanna die.
I don't think people were ready for all we have now. Mainly technology and combined with social media.
I'll soon be 60 yrs old my dad will be 96 this year! I've always had a kinship to the old folks! There's so much wisdom to listen too! My grandmother was a seamstress when she was old, I used to did in front of a coal burning fireplace and she told me stories of the old days!!! There will never be folks like there used to be that knew hard times and had faith in the lord! I can ride around my hometown here in ga and remember who lived in just about every house I pass! I'm proud I grew up when there wasn't computers or cell phones!!! Young people today don't have a clue!!!
Scott if it's like my home town i don't know hardly anyone all the older generation is gone 4 stores is all we had but everyone knew each other it just felt good back then
@@RT-fe1mu yes things have changed quite a bit! Most of the dear old wise folks I remember have gone! Here in my area we have a 19000 are lake built by George power in 1979! Things have change greatly because of that! We now have gated communities around that lake and probably 8 or 10 18 hole world class golf courses! So that attracts many wealthy people to come built primary or secondary homes here in the county! I'm hearing that some lake lots are now bringing 3 to 5 million! The home are massive! Yes economically its been a great thing! After my tour in the air force I became an electrician and I wired many home on that lake, so it provided alot of jobs that were lost in the factories and mill closings because of NAFTA! Alot of homes in town are being renovated and people from out of town are moving in! I dont know half the people in my town now!! Sadly there's more traffic, more accidents, with growth! I used to love riding dirt roads, its where I learned to drive at 8 yrs old! Theres very few left now!!! I still miss the simple small town of my youth, even if today theres more opportunity for work! Computers and cell phones have change so much of our lives and I would say not for the better!
GREAT STUFF Scott, I am 67 & my father WAS the GREATEST man I ever knew.He told us kids that my G mother would put hot river rocks at the end of his bed ,that he shared with his older brother to keep warm.He NEVER had new clothes .They were hand me downs from his 4 older bros.they were clean & ironed. I have never cried in my life as hard as I did for him ,my body heaved & shook, pure weeping .
@@scott1395 my mom said that her grandmother and her used to heat old cast irons and wrap them up in towels to keep their feet warm in wagons on the way to church running water was grab a bucket and run with it
I'm 47 I live up in the woods in my own world still carrying on these traditions I have large gardens growing all my own vegetables preserving them by pressure canning and pickling I shoot deer and fish for meat raise chickens and cut firewood throughout the year to heat during the long winter I have the house hooked up to a generator for off grid. I learned a lot from my grandparents when they were alive, it's a lost world nowadays I just keep to myself and don't even go out.
Still on that intranet though I see, so much for off grid.
@@johnathanfavorite9407 well no shit My internet as far as that goes the only way I can get it is through a satellite and I like to live in the best of both worlds so I can be prepared and have my edge as far as the news goes and such I'm completely off grid which allows me the power to be able to power things such as the internet via satallite as well don't you see, my homestead is also three power supply which includes electricity propane and firewood I can run it on either source although I do not need electricity because of the generators which are dual fuel running on propane or fuel. So why should I just stop at that when I can take it to the Moon???
@@shawnmichael6190 i like you... its nice to have at least phone coverage. Helps to learn stuff, watch a show, conect w people , staying off social media is the key
Nigga you live in apartment and go to Walmart for that shit. 😂
This man is a legend... True story
Nothing but respect to this man. Its a shame so many of today's generation look at the elder as just in their way. Very disrespectful 😒.
There’s jackasses in every generation
Even the young will be old one day.
I have the awful gift of remembering more than most people. I remember respecting the elderly but I didn’t have time for them. Eventually you grow to appreciate what they bring to the table. Your words aren’t an indictment of this or that generation. Your words are an indictment of youth. The great thing about youth is...we typically grow out of it.
Much respect to this man for sharing his story. Wish I could have heard more.
Danm I remember my grandma never had a lock on her front door. Sad to c old timers go! Keep the good Lord in your prayers!
This man is the SALT OF THE EARTH. I could listen to his stories all day. Reminds me of my uncle's and family neighbors. They Built this Country.
This should be viewed by the entire country, much respect to you sir.
I salute this great American!!
He’s a True Amercia, what people need to be today.
Wish we could go back to a time like this where people had values, a sense of community, family, and god...
Amen cousin
Hang on to that thought, because we will see Him soon.
All for it minus the God part. That's just make believe and a waste of time, religion was created to control people with fear. Churches don't help communities, if they paid taxes they would be doing way more good than a few food drives. Organized religion is a scam. Won't waste my life worrying about a book a human wrote, parts get left out every time it's translated or if it doesn't fit. Just a sham.
@@Ruthless9o7 The rest may be, But God is real ! I would not be here writing this if not for him ! And without God you wouldn't have the rests !
You mean normal?
All the computers in the world cant replace men like this.Its done with your word and a handshake,something people dont live by anymore.
This country is so different now. Love the stories from this gentleman.
We live off the backs and sweat of our forefathers.
@Bill Macy I love when young guys at work complain about having a hard day. I just look at them and say, well, at least you not eighteen years old climbing the cliffs of Omaha beach while Germans throw hand grenades down your shirt.
@musicgroupie1 Yes, it seems like every generation before us tried to make it easier for the next one. I sometimes feel like the current ones feel entitled to all good that been brought by the previous generations, rather than be thankful for it.
@Bill Macy As long as one American is grateful, their sacrifice is not wasted. I agree that this country needs an enema. I fear the only way to cleanse our country will unfortunately be with blood spilled, but then again, that's the way this country was started. Sic Semper Tyrannus!!
@Bill Macy Just the traitors. I know a lot of young fine loyal Kids. I also see a few of those seventy year old communist hippies still around. Age does not define allegiance.
@Bill Macy Hmm, you guys think commies should be eliminated however this is a big part of the problem. They are within their rights to express their communist beliefs. You can't fix tyranny with more tyranny.
When I was a kid we had grange suppers on Saturday night once a month bringing all the neighborhood together, potluck dinner all home made, I can smell the home made bread as I post this! Small town in Northern Maine, I'm 69!
You older people are not good people i am in my 20s and look deformed and aged due to a rare disease and its always you boomers mocking me not young generation
@@cameronbatesportlandoregon1477 The younger generation won't mock you to your face, they'll do it behind your back.
Love these old-timer's stories. I could listen to him for hours
I'm 43 years old and I feel like I'm the last hand shake my word is my bond guy on the planet. I guess that just how I was raised.
I feel you brother.
A hand shake is as good as a signature on a contract. At the end of the day you only have your word and you don’t break it.
No sir I'm the same way my grandfather taught me the right way to do things, love God, love your neighbor, work hard and a handshake is all you need
I am in my sixty's, When I was A kid my Dad said ' They can take everything from you, your house your car and all your belonging ... But only you can give away your Honor ! I have always lived by those words.
I'm 37, be 38 this July and I feel the same way which is why I'm raising my son that way.
I miss the good ole days. This world we live in now is ruled by the dark one.
What do you mean by the dark one
@@damianpascual97 Lucifer in full command.
@@damianpascual97 black people
The devils been working in this world from the time of Adam and Eve’s fall. It’s just starting to come to a close and God will finish it and take the dead of the planet back.
I remember days like this. Never kept our doors locked.
Wishing 30 years kids started to walk up and down the neighborhood checking car doors and taking thing from unlocked vehicles. Another time they were breaking car glass by shooting marbles. Parents stopped parenting and politicians stopped representing the people and but represented criminals. Our town went from English and never locking doors to Spanish speaking and high crime. It later became difficult to get a job if you didn’t speak Spanish. It wouldn’t be so bad if the people (illegal aliens) respected our values, land and neighborhoods. Instead they brought their baggage and made our country just like theirs.
Thats a man you pay attention to when he speaks.
Real people and real character...real American...real man....I remember speaking to a male neighbor when I was a kid and it was just like hearing this gentleman speak. This country is in bad shape today with what passes as real American male role models; regardless of race or ethnicity.
@Jose Araiza I agree and, sad to say, I think things started to go downhill with my generation (I'm 51). In the 80s, insane levels of greed, insane levels of consumption and waste, celebrities getting into drugs and trashing hotels, etc. came into popularity. I think it's become worse in the generations that followed. It's now all about the self, admiring oneself and talking about how awesome oneself is. People's behavior during the pandemic makes me want to throw up. Many have the attitude of "I'm going to do what I want, why should I wear a mask/quarantine/stay home?". Everything us rushed, contrived and full of pretense. Sorry if I'm being negative.
Real american's are of European descent. Other races came in the last 50 some odd years.
@@yosemite735 Learn how to write first. American is written with a capital "A" and not with a lowercase "a".
And the plural form of an American is, Americans not American's. The latter is the possessive of American.
E.i. the American's dog.
If you want to contract American and the word "Is" , it is written as you did in your incorrectly and grammatically poor written comment.
I'm an immigrant to this country and my comment was intended to highlight real, traditional and old fashion American values, and not race nor ethnicity.
Take time to understand the history, culture and language of this country and its (not it's, that's a contraction of it and is!)population of native born and immigrant Americans..and don't be more ignorant than you are already showing by how you write and express yourself.
Lastly, the only real Americans were, still are and forever will be are Native Americans...not spelled American's, as you incorrectly have written in your comment.
@@Wild_Western Well put friend!
I'm 43 and my granddaddy and granny raised me when I was 8 years old to high-schoolgraduate..... we was raised differently. He told me twice to do something....the second time he told me with a belt. You said yes sir, yes ma'am. You didn't slam the house door when you walked out. Your outside busy until supper. Weekdays was workdays. Saturdays was spent doing house chores. Like mowing, weed or sticker patches pulling. Sometimeswhen we finished early we'd go swimming at the tank.... . . Sunday was church. That was the best time of my life. You earned your keep. And fixed what was broken. We was raised differently
God bless this man. I’m only 70 but I remember/lived a lot of what he’s talking about. I would trade today’s progress and go back in heartbeat.
I like the older generations.Their easy manner, easy pace, they do things correctly rather than rush, there's no front or pretense, no narcissism or excess vanity, no bragging, don't try to dominate conversations, take time to listen to you, and are full of interesting stories from struggles of times long past.
This was humbling life. This why I see a lot of these guys so nice and humble. There character is immaculate
Good Ole boy...honest & hardworking as the day is long! God bless him.
This man has the same humbleness of my mother who is going to be 92 yrs old this coming July. Their generation saw everything. 2 major wars, financial collapse, the rebuilding of the economy & the civil rights movement The part that bothered her the most was the moral collapse of children in the 60's.
You boomers are bad people i am in my 20s and look deformed and aged due to a rare disease and its always you boomers mocking me not young generation
Kirk kolke the failed male, I see you deleted your comment. What a clown you are. Go make fun of yourself, your critique means nothing anyway
Kirk kolke you always make fun of people because you are coping and trying to make yourself feel relevant
These salt of the earth People are dying off. God Bless this man.
Thank u sir for your story I’m a farmer 3 generation love to hear more
"Men in Denim built this Country, Men is sutes destroyed it".
The emotion, wisdom and knowledge in this Man's eyes and voice is so genuine and honest.
His face tells a story it took a lifetime to write, his kind will never be again, life is hard, but, sometimes, life is worth living..
Your bullshit is thick....
His face tells a story of hardship, misery and countless gallons of hard liquor.
Life is usually worth living if you’re 18 to 25 ; that’s when the sap flows freely.
THIS IS AMERICA NOTHING EALSE COMES CLOSE NOTHING TODAY CAN TOUCH THIS FINE GENTLEMEN
Longin’ for those times to come back!!
👍🏻✌🏼🙏🏼🚜🫡
Amen you hit that nail right on the head too bad it ain't still like that. God help our country. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
The man is right. I remember those days. You did not lock your doors. In the summer up left the windows up in the house, because it would get to hot if you kept them closed. I remember gas being 16 cents a gallon.
I would work all day picking up hay bales and tossing them up on a trailer, then unloading them in a barn. Would make 15 dollars for the day. I could fill up my car with gas. Get a hunger buster meal at the Dairy Queen. Buy a case of beer and still have money left over. I actually miss those days.
You have to now because the men in black suits will show up an tell you what to plant an what modified seed you will buy.
Dairy queen is crap soy now. There nothing dairy about it?
I miss them too, thankful I still have a couple like this gem
Bless your heart..........yes a lot of change, not much for the better...!!
This man is speaking my life as one of ten children. Cotton fields, crop patches, were an everyday chore of life. We were poor, but didn't realize it. Wouldn't change it if I could!
I am the younger generation, but I'm one to respect my elders. I am also old-school compared to my pears
This is what living means. I’d do anything to sit on a rocking chair and talk to him. God bless him wherever he is.
I'm 64 and I have had the pleasure of working with and knowing people like this. These folks didn't have nothing but a hard life and fought in bloody wars and built this damn country. It about rips my soul in half to see what our country has become.
"A whole Lotta different and a whole Lotta change" very true sir
I’ve been on this earth for almost 70 years. Things have changed. Some things are better but other things have gotten worse. From my perspective, the worse outweighs the good at this point. Most of the bad is in our society. We just can’t get along and that will be our downfall. We are kept at each other’s throats all the time. And how our politicians have handled the COVID-19 response should tell us all that if a truly global catastrophe occurred, we are in deep trouble.
God bless this piece of America history
Our country was America back then.
God Bless Him. Speaks the true. Better times and much better people back then. God help us now.
Greetings from ireland.i grew up with people like this man.
He's right !
The world needs more people like this.
This gentleman is is so dead on! I definately remember that a hand shake was a mans bond and signing contracts for simple things was unheard of! We need to get back to this, as we have destroyed simple relationships between friends and business deals. Wake up and listen to this old soul; he knows what he is talking about!
My parents sold our farm in north jersey in 1966. Moved to a farm in south jersey, we had to install locks on the home we sold, never had locks on house or barns.
I bet this man could tell many many interesting stories, I have a lot of respect for the past generations, every one should pay close attention to these people ,and ALLWAYS SHOW RESPECT.
That man is tougher than weather and leather put together. He grew up during the hard times but in the best of times.
I have a centennial farm in my family plus 20 years my uncle is 78 he wont let me take it on it's in Michigan he worked for Buick and farmed I'm 37 but in late 80s to early 90s I started helping him and until 2002 he quit he says he always had a 60,000 a year salary so if he had a bad year it wasn't that bad but he dint want me to face a hard season. But I knew 3 farmers like this man they were born in the teens they were the most patient people I will ever meet and nicest but those were the real farmers to learn how to plant gardens from.
We trying hard to keep this nature alive around my way... GOD bless
I could sit and listen to this great American tell stories all day. This is a real man right here you can see the years of hard work in his face.
This is a treasure we are losing, so much wisdom and knowledge and skills , appreciate this gentleman, God bless him
Real men real work and lived on a handshake with respect
What a beautiful story.
“I’ve seen a lot of water go under the bridge” I like that
Come back we miss you old America
Look how far we have gone backwards
Thank you for posting this.
That there is a real man, an American, and someone that wasn't afraid of working hard
God bless you, sir. I'm 55 and remember much better times than we have now.
Old boy done some living
God bless you brother
A TRUE AMERICAN! GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! IF WE'RE STILL ALLOWED TO SAY THAT!
You said a HUGE mouthful with this comment!!
God Bless this man
Respect. Thankyou
We stand on the shoulders of giants god bless this mans soul
Ladies and Gents take a good look. THAT is what a real hard workin' American looks like! Wow. God Bless you sir!
That man reminds me so much of my paw paw I would love to hear his stories
Great man ! This is a real American!
I miss that good ole days
Respect to all the hard working gradfathers and grandmothers. Life used to be very hard in Finland too. But the bygone generations sure did something right and worked their asses off to put Finland on a path that has served us very well thus far. They fought for our freedom, rebuilt the country and paid the debt from the war we did not start. They paid with blood, sweat and tears.
My dad was a farmer and he plowed the feels with murals and he died of a young age now I'm a third-generation farmer miss my dad a lot when I was growing up Young age I started plowing the fields😢🙏🏻🙏🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🚜
Salt of the earth.
When life is difficult, people are humbled, and better human beings for it. When life is easy, self centeredness has fertile soil.
Hate the government and their mindless sheeple followers, but I love my country.
That's how it was in Cumbria UK too. Really enjoyed your talk Sir. Best wishes to you.
I could listen to those old timers all day long
In my mind I feel nothing but respect, in the mind of todays world I wonder what they see and feel. If you are still with us sir may God bless you.
I weep for my nation
It’s absolutely astounding to me as a soul you pick your life your parents and the problems you deal with. The only thing that makes sense about it is the art of trying to appreciate everything about it.
This really puts into perspective the things we take for granted now days.
All these woke people, and privileged kids and adults should walk a mile in this great mans shoes! God bless him
Good stuff.
God bless you