Do you ever notice, the older you get, the more things you took for granted seem to just disappear from your life, and you can’t even put your finger on their passing? Take phone booths, for instance. I saw one the other day, and it startled me because it seemed so out of place and made me realize I haven’t seen any in a long time. They used to be everywhere. And whatever happened to Chunkys, those fat little squares of chocolate that used to be a staple at the drugstore and movie theater?
The reason I bring this up is I recently read of the demise of two more long-running soap operas, and I’m getting rather nervous that mine might be next. No, I am not ashamed of my addiction attachment to Days of Our Lives. My mother taught me well. I was raised on As the World Turns (or As the Worm Turns, as my father referred to it). We watched it together every afternoon in the summer when I wasn’t in school, and she would catch me up on what I’d missed. Female bonding. When I started college, my dorm mates got me hooked on Days of Our Lives. It was a new soap then, on the air for less than a year. We would try to schedule our classes around its airing.
As a mother with three children of her own, I was grateful when VCR’s became available because that meant I could go to school and teach and then come home with my children and bond with them over the trials and tribulations of the citizens of Salem. My children fondly remember helping me scarf down a bag of chips and a carton of french onion dip while watching Bo and Hope profess their love to each other.
Alas, my kids grew up and left home, my job required more and more hours spent out of the house, and, if I wanted to have any relationship with my husband, I had to give him the time formerly reserved for the Bradys and the Hortons. Years and years went by, and I never saw another episode.
Until…I retired! About six months ago I happened to turn on the TV at lunch time, and there was my Days in living color! Surely, the characters had moved on as I had, I thought. I won’t know anybody or what’s happening. But as I watched, there was Victor, and the evil Stephano, perky Jennifer as perky as ever, and sweet, sweet Maggie. Okay, I have to admit they were a little longer in the tooth, but they were there, nonetheless, getting into as much mischief as ever.
Now I worry that it is just a matter of time before they will disappear from my life, too. A world without Bo and Hope? Egad! It’s sad, but I know they are destined to go the way of Chunkys. Sure do miss the ones with raisins, by the way.
Coming East 
I began watching Days with my mom over 40 years ago. I love it and am very thankful for my DVR also. My mom is gone now but I still watch and sometimes wish I could talk to her about the lastest escapades of the characters. Glad to know I’m not the only one.
I’m amazed at how many people had fond memories of watch soaps, especially Days. I haven’t gotten one negative comment. Wonder why so many of us got hooked? Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I so could use a tub o’ French onion dip and chips right about now! In the 1970’s our office was HOOKED on “All My Children,” mainly because they filmed on our street, West 67th, and we’d catch a glimpse of them during lunch hours.
People laugh, but seriously, once you really follow the characters, it’s so much fun.
Chuunkys–hadn’t thought about those for years. Thanks for the memories…
It’s surprising how many people respond with fond memories of watching soaps. I wouldn’t want to start a new one, though! Takes too much effort. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I watched Days of Our Lives for quite a few years and my oldest even watched it with for a time but I haven’t seen it in about 5 years or so. I’ve considered going back to watch it. I always loved that show and don’t know why I stopped watching it.
Nobody who has commented has said anything disparaging about watching soaps. That surprises me! But, hey, it makes me feel better. I’ll bet if you turned on Days, you’d recognize most of the characters or at least get caught up with what’s happening within a week. Really. Thanks for commenting.
My mom and I watched ATWT and The Guiding Light religiously for years. I even kept watching all through college in the dorm. To see the same characters for so long, you really get attached. So sad to see them go!
They become real after awhile, and you have to remind yourself that there really isn’t a town with those people living in it. Actually, that’s a good thing!
My father made fun of my mother for watching Days of our Lives: that is until he was taken ill and spent a month at home. Upon returning to work, he changed his schedule so he wouldn’t miss his soap. When he could not avoid missing an episode, his question to my mother was, “Did anything juicy happen?” Good posting.
Love that about your father! After so many years on TV, those characters take on a life of their own.
Hello again my friend. I agree about the things that are no longer there – where did they all go. There must be a great dump somewhere with all the phone boxes etc that are no longer around.
As for soaps, I used to watch Days of our lives when I lived in Montreal but haven’t become hooked on any others since I returned to NZ.
Thank goodness for DVR’s because I can fast-forward through all the commercials, and there are tons! I reason with myself that I have to take a lunch break anyway, so there’s no harm in indulging in my soap opera vice.