Privacy

There is a level of privacy that does not seem to exist in today's world.  I cannot even say that it is a result of the communication superhighway.  I think that common sense and a sense of privacy has been eroded over the years, but I do feel that in some ways technology and social media.  Years ago, there were censors on tv who would not allow certain language or situations to be shown on television.  Personal care products like tampons or medications for erectile dysfunction were NEVER advertised on television.  Now I understand that some people feel we needed to come out of the darkness, but how much is too much?

On a more personal level, someone in our neighborhood is putting up a new home.  It reminded me of when we were building.  We lived in a small house on the property while we were building our new house.  We got pretty used to seeing the builder and his subcontractors come up and down the driveway.  No problem.  And then . . . .

Suddenly, we found workers bringing their girlfriends or wives back to our new home to show it off.  Neighbors felt like they had a right to stroll through the property and into our house before it was completely enclosed.  It was something I never understood, but they saw nothing wrong with it.  After all, they were just looking!  We ended up shifting gears.  It got to the point where we would jump into "Intruder Mode" whenever we would see someone come up the driveway, especially during non-work hours.  Everyone had a job.  "Doc" would grab his rifle.  One of the older kids would man the phone in case we needed to call the police.  Another one of the kids who could read and write, would get paper and pencil to write down vehicle make and license plate number.  The others would act as spotters and of course I would just direct the group.

The kicker came when a car came up the driveway and headed back to where the new house was located.  We flew into "Intruder Mode".  "Doc" wasn't home so it was me in the drivers seat.  Before we knew it the car came back down the driveway.  I jumped in my van and followed it down the driveway and stopped them.  There were two couples in the car. The average age of the passengers was 75.  They were out sightseeing and had heard about the house.  They were totally unaffected when I informed them that they were trespassing on private property and smiled as they blew me off and drove away!  Time for the police.  I gave the police all of the pertinent information and simply asked them to impress upon our visitors that what they had done was not only illegal but rude.  Oh, and please don't give them a heart attack when you do it!

I have always been fiercely protective of our family's privacy for multiple reasons.  The kids always seem to have been on display or under a microscope.  Home was and is always the place where we can be what we are and need to be without judgement (except maybe from me).  Sometimes I miss the "good old days".