The title comes from a song Shaun Cassidy did back in the 70s. "Teen Dream." I was re-watching the first episode of Resurrection when I realized how different growing up now - for my grandson and grand-nephew - than it was for us some forty years ago.
Forty five years ago my dad was in Viet Nam. We lived in a small house on what is now a very busy road. We kids - my brother and I, and the kids in the neighborhood had the run of some forty acres during the summer. It was hills and lakes and granite slabs and woods. We went wherever we wanted and I'm pretty sure the parents-that-were didn't worry. We got lost a few times, in those woods. As long as we made it home before the sun went down not much was said. Mom had a newborn and a two year old. An eight year old and a six year old were the least of her problems.
Back in those days.
I'm sure there were weirdos tracking down and killing kids. I'm also pretty sure it wasn't as coddled an activity as it is now. As a race we have gotten soft on our predators. We want to humanize them, make them less scary. Recidivism for rapists and child molesters and general perverts is almost 100%. And yet they live amongst us, having served their time.
Meanwhile my grandson and my great nephew will never know the freedom of running through the woods, playing capture the flag. Or catching snakes and frogs. Having epic pirate battles on granite ships pushed up by long ago receded glaciers.
Their parents never having the freedom to not have to worry what monster wanders just beyond eyesight.
It makes me sad.
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