Conflict
MIchael T Hahn
February 26, 2026
Decades ago, I knew a young woman who was beautiful, intelligent and popular, with close friends who cared about her, a gifted dancer blessed with excellent health. To paraphrase an old song, her future was so bright, she had to wear shades. As we all know, however, clear skies are always temporary.
In those days, ripped or torn jeans weren’t fashionable. Young ladies of that era didn’t appear in public wearing the tattered jeans that girls wear nowadays. Patched jeans were commonly considered acceptable, and embroidered repairs were regarded as cool amongst hip people. Embroidery was glorified in the 1973 Top 10 hit song “The Cover Of Rolling Stone,” when the singer mentioned that his “freaky old lady . . . embroideries on my jeans.”
The young woman with the bright future had a talent for embroidery. She created an embroidered patch on her jeans that was a beautiful work of art, greatly admired by all her friends. Her father, however, didn’t share their admiration. As a matter of fact, he was appalled by the embroidery. Her father was the manager of an upscale clothing store that prospered by selling suits, ties, party dresses and various button-down attire to prosperous members of the community. He disapproved of bell-bottom jeans in general and embroidered jeans in particular, and he became enraged when he saw his daughter wearing what he thought of as “hippie rags.”
Younger people reading this column might not understand what all the fuss was about, but readers of a certain age realize that attitudes about clothing have changed dramatically since the 1970s. Nowadays it’s not uncommon to see young people wearing flannel pajama pants in public. Such casual apparel would have been unthinkable back in the day and might have resulted in an altercation with police. The young lady’s embroidered jeans weren’t quite that extreme, but to her father they represented an insulting rejection of his values.
The disagreement between the young woman and her father escalated into an argument, then surged into the worst fight of their lives. They parted bitterly. Unfortunately, her father died unexpectedly soon afterwards. They never had an opportunity to reconcile, and their last words to each other were hostile. Although she went on to lead a wonderful life, she still regrets their unresolved contention. I guess the moral of this story is: don’t let disputes linger, because no one knows what tomorrow will bring.
Michael Hahn Band varies in size from a duo to a six-piece band, depending upon the size and budget of the venue. They love to make music for any occasion. For bookings call 802-754-8889.
Upcoming Gigs:
Northeast Slopes in E. Corinth on Sun. March 15 from noon to 4
Celebrate Northeast Slopes 90th birthday with multiple performers!
In those days, ripped or torn jeans weren’t fashionable. Young ladies of that era didn’t appear in public wearing the tattered jeans that girls wear nowadays. Patched jeans were commonly considered acceptable, and embroidered repairs were regarded as cool amongst hip people. Embroidery was glorified in the 1973 Top 10 hit song “The Cover Of Rolling Stone,” when the singer mentioned that his “freaky old lady . . . embroideries on my jeans.”
The young woman with the bright future had a talent for embroidery. She created an embroidered patch on her jeans that was a beautiful work of art, greatly admired by all her friends. Her father, however, didn’t share their admiration. As a matter of fact, he was appalled by the embroidery. Her father was the manager of an upscale clothing store that prospered by selling suits, ties, party dresses and various button-down attire to prosperous members of the community. He disapproved of bell-bottom jeans in general and embroidered jeans in particular, and he became enraged when he saw his daughter wearing what he thought of as “hippie rags.”
Younger people reading this column might not understand what all the fuss was about, but readers of a certain age realize that attitudes about clothing have changed dramatically since the 1970s. Nowadays it’s not uncommon to see young people wearing flannel pajama pants in public. Such casual apparel would have been unthinkable back in the day and might have resulted in an altercation with police. The young lady’s embroidered jeans weren’t quite that extreme, but to her father they represented an insulting rejection of his values.
The disagreement between the young woman and her father escalated into an argument, then surged into the worst fight of their lives. They parted bitterly. Unfortunately, her father died unexpectedly soon afterwards. They never had an opportunity to reconcile, and their last words to each other were hostile. Although she went on to lead a wonderful life, she still regrets their unresolved contention. I guess the moral of this story is: don’t let disputes linger, because no one knows what tomorrow will bring.
Michael Hahn Band varies in size from a duo to a six-piece band, depending upon the size and budget of the venue. They love to make music for any occasion. For bookings call 802-754-8889.
Upcoming Gigs:
Northeast Slopes in E. Corinth on Sun. March 15 from noon to 4
Celebrate Northeast Slopes 90th birthday with multiple performers!
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