Hardship was no stranger to Dave Burns and his family in the 1940s when he was growing up in rural Jonesville, Mich. Because of the depression, his father had difficulty finding work. He remembers how hard it was for his parents when the family was forced to move from their own home to an Uncle’s basement. Still, due to the diligence of his parents, Burns never went hungry.

The great advances in technology especially stand out to Burns. His grandfather’s mode of transportation was a horse and wagon. Going from this experience, to witnessing a lunar landing has been amazing and even shocking for Burns.

Burns reflected the feeling that our culture itself was more relationship-oriented when he was younger. He remembered always receiving a phone call or a visit if he wasn’t able to attend church as well as frequent visits from friends, just to chat.

This cultural change becomes even harder for him as his friends grow old and pass away. He takes solace in his faith, however, looking forward to seeing them again. He has been a Christian since he was in his twenties and considers trusting God to be essential.

“The dread and fear of that last step is not there,” he said.