Living Life at Eighty
This was a week of reflections. At eighty we have many years to look back upon and to think about what really matters. This week my partner also turned eighty. Although we did not know each other until we were in our seventies, we experienced many of the same events growing up. At a birthday celebration with our family this week we were asked two questions: Which five news events stood out to us and which five personal events were very important to us? The explanations were long and sometimes similar so in each category we each got to share two. It is a conversation I hope that we will continue the next time we get together with our families.
It was interesting that we both talked about the events that stood out to us in the 1960’s. We talked about the Vietnam War and how our experiences led us into very different paths. We talked about the Kennedy assassination and the Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Movement as well. At the same time twice, this week I read comments and questions from younger generations asking “Boomers” how they got through the turmoil of the sixties without losing hope. They asked for advice on how to deal with what is happening in our country today. I spent some time reflecting on those times and how we dealt with it.
As with everything in life, my experience does not mean that it was the same for everyone. I believed and still do that we were fighting for change and for a better world in the sixties. We were fighting for equality. We believed that we could make things better and I think we did. Although we tried, life is not perfect and not the same for all people. I understand that but, in my youth, I may not have been fully aware of that fact. We did move things forward and as with any movement for change it was and continues to be slow and ongoing.
Now, we are fighting to not lose the rights that so many people take for granted and have never lived without. If you have never lived when women could not have a credit card in their own name or were asked if they were going to get married or have children before they could be hired you don’t know what that is like. Compared to the problems of today that might not seem like much. It is if they are rights you now possess and may lose. I hope that what we did in the sixties matters just as I hope that the marches and phone calls to our representatives matter today. We need to make sure that our voices are heard and that the people who need us, whether we know them or not, understand that they matter, that we care, and that they are not alone.
I know that when you and I look back upon this time in history we will remember that it was very difficult and one we never want to experience again. I also hope that everyone will be able to recall what they did during this turbulent time with pride. I hope that when down the road you are sitting with your sons and daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren you will be able to explain what steps you took, no matter how small, to make the world a better place for them. Today’s youth are becoming more and more involved in the fight to save our democracy. This will help future generations know what steps to take to continue to make our country and the world a place where everyone is free, safe and feels that they too matter!
Remember: When you share your gifts and talents with the world magic happens.
Let the Magic Begin!
Ginny
This was a week of reflections. At eighty we have many years to look back upon and to think about what really matters. This week my partner also turned eighty. Although we did not know each other until we were in our seventies, we experienced many of the same events growing up. At a birthday celebration with our family this week we were asked two questions: Which five news events stood out to us and which five personal events were very important to us? The explanations were long and sometimes similar so in each category we each got to share two. It is a conversation I hope that we will continue the next time we get together with our families.
It was interesting that we both talked about the events that stood out to us in the 1960’s. We talked about the Vietnam War and how our experiences led us into very different paths. We talked about the Kennedy assassination and the Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Movement as well. At the same time twice, this week I read comments and questions from younger generations asking “Boomers” how they got through the turmoil of the sixties without losing hope. They asked for advice on how to deal with what is happening in our country today. I spent some time reflecting on those times and how we dealt with it.
As with everything in life, my experience does not mean that it was the same for everyone. I believed and still do that we were fighting for change and for a better world in the sixties. We were fighting for equality. We believed that we could make things better and I think we did. Although we tried, life is not perfect and not the same for all people. I understand that but, in my youth, I may not have been fully aware of that fact. We did move things forward and as with any movement for change it was and continues to be slow and ongoing.
Now, we are fighting to not lose the rights that so many people take for granted and have never lived without. If you have never lived when women could not have a credit card in their own name or were asked if they were going to get married or have children before they could be hired you don’t know what that is like. Compared to the problems of today that might not seem like much. It is if they are rights you now possess and may lose. I hope that what we did in the sixties matters just as I hope that the marches and phone calls to our representatives matter today. We need to make sure that our voices are heard and that the people who need us, whether we know them or not, understand that they matter, that we care, and that they are not alone.
I know that when you and I look back upon this time in history we will remember that it was very difficult and one we never want to experience again. I also hope that everyone will be able to recall what they did during this turbulent time with pride. I hope that when down the road you are sitting with your sons and daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren you will be able to explain what steps you took, no matter how small, to make the world a better place for them. Today’s youth are becoming more and more involved in the fight to save our democracy. This will help future generations know what steps to take to continue to make our country and the world a place where everyone is free, safe and feels that they too matter!
Remember: When you share your gifts and talents with the world magic happens.
Let the Magic Begin!
Ginny
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