Boomers Pave The Way

As a society, 

we tend to assign behaviors, 

attitudes, beliefs and practices 

to specific age groups 

across the board. 

Listen to a forty something 

when he/she forgets 

a word or a phrase 

jokingly refers to this 

"missed memory" 

as a "Senior Moment".

Boomers are "booed" 

by many 

as "taking up space", 

"hoarding the best houses", 

increased consumption.

Never have I ever heard 

so much discord directed 

at an age group 

as I have by those 

who owe their lives 

to many who came before.

A constant complaint about

the "cost" of a generation 

who gave so much,  

started with so little.

Having the courage 

of their fathers

and their mothers 

to climb life's ladder, 

open doors 

for all coming behind.

We marched, we picketed, 

we raised our voices . . . 

in meetings, 

on land line phones, 

in stick shift cars, 

riding buses long distances,

for Freedom and Equality.

Our songs 

presented the problems, 

challenges of the times.

We held 

Hands across America

with our children 

standing beside

showing unity, 

community.

We started many causes,

saw many needs.

Working then and now 

to create a better world.

Raising awareness 

of those who work 

to tear us apart.

Boomers were once 

the "golden children".

On their way 

"up the ladder to a

life of comfort & benefit."

Boomers went to College. 

Even if it was 

the "new" Community College.

Created to accommodate 

the high numbers of births

after the War.

Needing preparation 

for "tomorrow's world".

Females whose mothers worked 

on assembly lines for our troops, 

walked together, advanced programs 

and started diversity & inclusion.

They had sons & daughters,

worked as teachers, 

in offices and on Boards;

stepped across lines, 

pioneered, led the way, 

showing the best directions.

The trend was moving women 

from assembly to check-out lines.

Away from the "Big City" to suburbs

to the not long ago vacant fields 

now filled with 

"little houses on the hillside, 

little houses made of ticky tack",

and the suburban shopping centers.

Those now "funny looking" 

aging men & women 

fought for freedom, 

came home to work crazy shifts, 

tried to advance 

on a ladder constantly moved 

towards higher & higher 

education, training.

Suburban housing developments

were created and gave rise to

"Millionaire Businesses" 

from services 

to retail 

and Credit Cards.

No more walking 

to the "corner store" 

or grabbing a bus 

or "trolley".

 

One car for work,

another for 

"the lady of the house".

The automobile 

became necessary

to get to 

the Malls and Strip Centers

where spending 

became a pastime for some 

and a necessity for others.

Then "the lady" 

did the unthinkable

She went to college. . .  

She competed for jobs . . .  

once "belonging" to "men". 

Did they really "spend" 

more than they made 

as many now accuse? 

Assembly lines faded, 

more giant high rise 

office buildings grew.

A "Brave NewWorld" 

develops with computers 

and home delivery.

With so much emphasis on AI, 

kids are being praised,

become popular, 

as they adapt and embrace

the art/science of AI.

Video games, 

programs encouraging winning, 

gambling, knocking things around -- 

and we wonder where all the "violence" 

we see and hear about has "come from". 

Ever hear a young friend/relative 

refer to some being"just like" 

Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, 

when there's a forgetful moment?

"Individuals" 

is how the vast majority 

of people want to be seen.

                           

Instead, we measure, categorize, 

assign and place people in Stats.

Society decides what's "typical" 

and the "bar" often moves.

Using polls, questionaires, 

even medical records.

Supplying information 

for behaviours, conditions.

Like any other statistical 

or marketing poll, 

you get out of it 

what you put into it, 

often producing inaccurate, 

insufficient guidelines.

Dr Benjamin Spock

might be the cause 

of Statistical Reasoning.

 

Unless you're a member 

of the Boomer Generation  

you probably do not recognize 

the name of this very prominent 

physician, writer, 

and a top Influencer of his time.

He was the first medical professional, 

a pediatrician, to "characterize"

or "group" children's ages.

You may recall the "Terrible Two's". 

Advice from infancy through adolescence.

Dr Benjamin Spock, 

taught another lesson to Boomer mothers.

  

He championed the concept 

of continual learning, 

growing, developing,

and being "care givers" 

for another generation.

It's anticipated and believed 

the child will "outgrow" 

certain actions and reactions 

with direction or intervention.

Today, we embrace

a different approach.

Those machines 

we constantly have our fingers on 

are there to retrain and restructure 

according to whoever controls them.

Society in general 

doesn't believe 

the aging adult 

is going to 

"get" better or "outgrow" 

actions or behaviours.

We are taught to believe 

the aging are all moving into 

that valley, that depth of life 

where only memory loss 

and physical loss of capability exist.

It is inevitable and non-reversible

to be expected and anticipated

One benefit of AI

is 24/7 ability

to use resources

to gain knowledge

to understand.

Boomers are not Aging As Expected. 

They're not sitting 

in rocking chairs on front porches.

Many hold out on going quietly 

into homes for the aging.

Boomers set a different path 

listening to a different drummer.

Boomers marched, picketed 

and their music 

reflected the conflicts 

and the challenges of the times.

A generation 

forming large groups of protestors 

to bring to light wrongs 

to work to bring about change. 

Boomers continue 

to honor those who went before them.

Aging as they choose to age.

Rejecting stereotypes,

Working for understanding.

LOOK OUT WORLD. 

Senior Moments 

change and create 

the world as we NEED it to be. 

Millennials may be the turning point; 
Baby Boomers are the force to be reckoned with.

Fine wines are aged. 

Human Aging is like a fine wine.

Boomers Pave The Way

Building highways into tomorrow.