[Ally Castillo]

General Discussion Thread 06.12.2025​

What’s something you miss from “the good old days”? Image Credit: Pixabay/Pexels

Hi friends! Ally here, popping in with a warm hello and a virtual cup of coffee (or tea, your call). Thursdays always get me feeling a little reflective—like we’re far enough into the week to look back, but not too far to make a new turn if we need to. So tell me this: What’s something you miss from “the good old days”? Maybe it’s handwritten letters, Saturday morning cartoons, or just a world where “screens” were only found in windows. I’d love to hear what makes you nostalgic, so comment them down below!

Or, if you have something else you'd like to share—whether it’s a cool fact you just learned, a funny story, or something that’s been bothering you—feel free to comment them down, too! This General Discussion Thread is created just for you, so feel free to engage with your fellow members!

Now, what's on YOUR mind today?

 

[latiki]

Sitting on the front porch with my grandfather at a young age

 

[raspberry]

seeing a blue fold up airmail letter handwritten from my Mum in England, they do not make them anymore in England but i kept one from my Dad. they are both in heaven now.

 

[Pattij50]

No cell phones, honesty, respect
Family gatherings
Life was better back then.

 

[pita]

Oh, I miss talking to people on the phone,most just wanna text. I miss Christmas cards! they are getting less n less now that eCards and stamp increases. Technology is here for good but there are things that were more personal, like a letter, or a picture you hold in your hand, not on a cell phone.

 

[ccolpitts05]

I miss getting a phone call from my kids asking me how I am. Or to just talk. The darn thing is I don't even get a text from my grown kids. What has this world come to?

 

[dkleslie52]

Hearing kids play outside.

 

[Arkie98]

I miss cards and phone calls though grew up with out one. miss family get togethers and fixing all the food. Alot i miss and alot glad i forget. I remember once going to have a dinner for my siblings and their kids. For some reason chatter began and had cousins and gosh only knows who else and ended up feeding 45 people

 

[Rusty Vale]

When my sister and I talk about our mom, dad, sister, and her late husband. It is heartwarming to talk about our lost loved ones because we miss them so much.

 

[Hazeleyes]

I miss being younger when I stayed at my godparents house for the whole summer. They had a built in pool. My godfather worked for Schaefer Brewery In Brooklyn and every summer my godparents had a pool party for the workers.

 

[TriciaR]

Sitting on the front porch with my grandfather at a young age

That sounds like such a special memory—thank you for sharing @latiki ! There’s something so comforting about those quiet moments with a loved one. Do you remember what kinds of things you used to talk about with your grandfather, or was it more about simply being together?

 

[DrWooly]

Those days where responsibilities were in the near future, after High School, but still full of days full of daydreaming OF the future. People who were actually happy to be helpful, and guiding. When other kids were just as goofy as us, and fun wasn‘t destructive ( except for an M40 lit in a model car; remember model cars!? )

 

[TriciaR]

seeing a blue fold up airmail letter handwritten from my Mum in England, they do not make them anymore in England but i kept one from my Dad. they are both in heaven now.

Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt memory @raspberry . There was something so meaningful about receiving a handwritten letter—especially those delicate blue airmail ones. How lovely that you’ve kept one from your Dad; what a precious keepsake. Do you ever find yourself rereading it when you're missing them?

 

[TriciaR]

No cell phones, honesty, respect
Family gatherings
Life was better back then.

Thank you for sharing @Pattij50 —there’s a lot of truth in what you’ve said. Life did feel a bit slower and more connected without all the distractions, didn’t it? Do you have a favorite memory from one of those family gatherings that still makes you smile?

 

[TriciaR]

Oh, I miss talking to people on the phone,most just wanna text. I miss Christmas cards! they are getting less n less now that eCards and stamp increases. Technology is here for good but there are things that were more personal, like a letter, or a picture you hold in your hand, not on a cell phone.

You’ve captured something so many of us feel—thank you for sharing @pita . There’s something so special about hearing a familiar voice on the phone or opening a real Christmas card with a handwritten note. Do you still send out a few cards or letters yourself, just to keep the tradition alive?

 

[TriciaR]

I miss getting a phone call from my kids asking me how I am. Or to just talk. The darn thing is I don't even get a text from my grown kids. What has this world come to?

Thank you for sharing something so personal @ccolpitts05 —it’s completely understandable to feel that way. Nothing compares to a call from your kids just to say hi or check in. Do you ever reach out to them first, or have you tried letting them know how much those calls would mean to you?

 

[TriciaR]

Hearing kids play outside.

Thank you for sharing @dkleslie52 —there really was something joyful about the sound of kids playing outside, wasn’t there? It used to be such a common soundtrack to the neighborhood. Do you remember any particular games they loved to play, or maybe ones you played yourself as a child?

 

[TriciaR]

I miss cards and phone calls though grew up with out one. miss family get togethers and fixing all the food. Alot i miss and alot glad i forget. I remember once going to have a dinner for my siblings and their kids. For some reason chatter began and had cousins and gosh only knows who else and ended up feeding 45 people

What a fantastic memory—thank you for sharing @Arkie98 ! Feeding 45 people sounds like quite the effort, but I bet it was full of laughter and chaos in the best way. Do you remember what you cooked that day, or was it one of those “bring a plate” gatherings that just grew and grew?

 

[TriciaR]

When my sister and I talk about our mom, dad, sister, and her late husband. It is heartwarming to talk about our lost loved ones because we miss them so much.

Thank you for sharing such a touching reflection @Rusty Vale . Those conversations can be so comforting—keeping memories alive while feeling close to the ones we’ve lost. Do you and your sister have a favorite story or tradition you always come back to when you talk about them?

 

[Gibb]

I miss the sound of a wooden screen door, especially in the summer