The Way Things Used to Be

Many these days tend to formulate,
Ideas based upon a former date.
They remember life from way back when,
And conclude that it was so much better  then.

Argument arises though by modern crowds,
Often to the point of being loud.
If things were so much better long ago,
Why then do we not back there go?

The thoughts of making a dollar a day,
Would cause the minds of many to stray.
To pack your belongings on the back of a mule
Would certainly be an unbearable rule.

Things that we have that were missing then
Is somehow where our thinking may end.
What about things present long ago
That most in these days simply do not know?

Things like time for family and friends,
Contentment after the payday ends.
Helping a neighbor with barn repair,
Encouraging him through times of despair.

Then there are things like common respect,
Genuine caring instead of neglect.
Going way above and beyond,
Instead of having to be coerced to respond.

Some things remain year after year,
Others you will nowdays never hear.
What if things were as they used to be?
Would we in ourselves contentment see?