Boomer Blessings for the New Year
By definition, those of us in the baby boomer generation were born in the mid twentieth century. No doubt, to many of us, it’s more than a bit shocking to realize we’re entering the second decade of the new millennium. I no longer laugh quite as boisterously at the “long of tooth” jokes referring to the aches and pains, sags and bags, and other not so fun aspects of aging. Even a swift glance in the mirror is enough to startle me these days.
Nevertheless, and despite the all-too-discernable signs of growing older, we boomers were and are a uniquely blessed generation. Opportunity and a sense of optimism were our birthright. Born to parents who survived the desperate times of the Great Depression and, later, the stark realities of World War II, we were given what had been denied to many of them—a carefree and happy home life. We were showered with all sorts of childhood luxuries: trikes, bikes, hula-hoops, and birthday parties. And, for the very lucky among us, even trips to Disneyland.
As we grew older, many of us expected to go to college. This we did with nary a thought that female college graduates merely a generation before us were a rare sight indeed. In addition to this great privilege, countless boomers were fortunate to spend time abroad, travelling Europe with a backpack and a Eurail Pass. Or we stayed closer to home, hitching a ride to Woodstock and the other great happenings of our time. The world was our playground—safe, welcoming, and waiting for us flower children to get our groove on.
How lucky we were to have lived through those amazing times. Younger generations will never know the world to be so safe, never experience the sense of optimism and entitlement we felt, never expect to live better lives than their parents. Yes, we had our challenges and Vietnam and the social inequities of the fifties brought great pain to many families. Nonetheless, I believe we boomers have been blessed in ways too numerous to count.
So it is with a sense of gratitude and the optimism inherent to being born a boomer that I greet the new decade and the coming year. May 2010 bring you many joys, good health, and the love of family and friends. Forget the “long of tooth” stuff and celebrate. After all, we boomers have had one heckuva ride and, true to our nature, we’ll be boogieing down for decades to come!
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January 16th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Great thoughts and advice to start the new year off with!
January 7th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Now that the world is getting smaller with global communication and commerce, it’s easier to see how privileged we were–and even are. I never thought much about how my protective (really overprotective) parents and my happy childhood were a result of the depression, war, and generally harder times. Wanting to give more to your children is a loving, worthy goal that young parents today may not be able to fulfill. That must be painful for them.
Still, if you’ve seen that e-mail that goes around about the tiny percentage of countries that possess the things Americans typically take for granted, like computers–it’s an eye-opener. Another one I got was talking to a travel agency rep headquartered in the Phillipines. He told me most people there will never be able to travel once in their entire lives because of economics, including him, even though he was in the travel business. Our worst times would be prosperity in many parts of the world.
Lastly, while recognizing that not every boomer shared a happy-go-lucky childhood: for those that did, I think it set our generation up for a stark contrast in the ’60s that led to the counterculture movement. We had a taste of Utopia, a worry-free protected place where evil did not dwell, and when we grew up to see that was not the complete picture, we demanded back our Happy Days. Thanks for the stimulating and insightful article, Eileen. I now think I understand why our generation tends to be so idealistic.
January 2nd, 2010 at 12:18 pm
I just watched a wonderful interview by a woman who is a member of an over 50 female band. Basically, she said we may not have been given the best hand to play right now, but learn how to play the hand you’ve been given. Surround yourself with a wonderful support base and move onward with grace! You can check it out at: http://www.boomerdivatv.com
December 30th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Your post has given me a new perspective on my youthful travels in the sixties and seventies. I was one of those who went to Woodstock in my youth and traveled Europe in my twenties. It never occurred to me then to think about safety or security issues and I went on my exploits with a carefree mind and attitude. I now see how lucky I was to have that feeling of security.
Yes, we live in a less safe world but I think travel really does broaden the mind and, with the proper preparations, it is still safe to travel most places – even though we might have to spend more time getting there and put up with some inconveniences.
I’m looking forward to the New Year – there is something inspiring and hopeful about a clean slate.
May you have a wonderful New Year’s passage and may Peace and Prosperity be yours in the year 2010.
December 30th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Long of tooth? Mine are now called fangs. I still can’t get over the fact that 2010 will make me a year older! Thanks for your positive thoughts…almost Happy New Year!