It might have been a housewarming party. The backyard was unfinished, so mom put chairs around card tables in the front yard. There were no flowers or hedges yet, but my parents knew the plans they had for that little piece of land under the Big Sky.

The photos show Uncle Charlie Gallagher wearing a straw hat, looking very much like the Irish gentleman he was. My four grandparents wore neat hats. The women had flowing summer dresses, worn, no doubt, over strong corsets.

The men would never have dreamed of attending a party without a suit and tie, except my dad who sported a starched white shirt with sleeves rolled up. I can hear his voice asking each guest, “What’ll you have?” Smoke drifted from cigarettes perched on fancy ashtrays.

It was a happy gathering of family and neighbors. They talked of jobs and kids and hopes and dreams. The shadow of World War had disappeared. The future was bright. With John Jameson in one hand and a cigarette in the other they raised a glass to their health.

My childhood flashback came as a result of a get-together we recently attended. Our neighbor invited us to celebrate her husband’s birthday with a healthy version of warm cherry pie and ice cream. We wandered up the street at the appointed time, bearing funny cards and best wishes. Our attire was Northwest Casual, and there was neither a whiff of cigarette smoke, nor a drop of alcohol in the room.

The birthday boy had survived a “cardiac event” in the last year. Happily, he came roaring back. On a wide plasma screen, he showed us the watercolor illustrations for a book that he is self-publishing.

He was strong enough to complete the Seattle-To-Portland bicycle tour this summer, and the guys were discussing the routes of future rides. Another neighbor told us about a 50-mile back-packing trip she enjoyed with her daughter last month. Lenny and I gave updates from our son who was “on the road” with a band.

I couldn’t help but think as we talked that our conversation would have been utterly inconceivable to our parents. Throughout the party I wondered what they would think about our lifestyle. Perhaps they might think it a bit dull, but at least when we raise a glass to health, we have a lot more information about how to preserve it.

Patty Luzzi has lived on the Eastside for 33 years. Readers can contact her at pattyluzzi@yahoo.com.