As the east coast and midwest regional time zones embrace daylight savings time (DST), Sunday morning in the western hemisphere boasted, overall, a sparkling sun that not just fooled us, but promised alluring warmer temperatures -- and as a group, we were drawn out of our cocoons and hibernation, and invited to breathe and participate in life.
Spring, a sign of rebirth, renewal, and growth, beckoned us to behold a new day, a new season, a new reason for living, and as every Baby Boomer joining the ranks of seniors in record numbers, transitioning from the spring to the autumn time of their lives and facing a new reality – we – no, they, felt the urge to refocus and ask, “Am I alive or just breathing?”
An estimated 20,000 Boomers will retire each day for the next 20 years. Because of the upheavals, uncertainy, and crises in the financial markets over the last decade, this number is lower than anticipated. With so many companies downsizing and purging their ranks of “over 50’s employees”, retirement plans may be at risk and alterations must be made for the preparation of mid-to-end-of-life living. This is reality -- harsh but true.
Back in the day, Boomers stood proudly as the idealistic mass of young and innocent children who rewrote the books on Human Rights, Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, and Gay Rights. As a group, Baby Boomers were THE game-changing generation who helped change the political complexion of the United States, burning bras and draft cards, staging anti-war demonstrations and sit-ins, fighting to correct injustices and striving to feed the hungry, worldwide – through not only programs of entitlement, but through hard-work, dedication, and standing up for urban rights, morals, and mores, and in support of nationwide concerts held to call attention to injustice. Boomers, like you and I, rocked the world as we knew it.
Now in their fifties and sixties, Boomers are still going strong, still making contributions to humanity, and still working to create the course for future generations. Their journey is far from over.
While many Boomers say they would love to retire if they could, they aren’t even close to their dream. For this generation of fighters, bending is the only plausible alternative to breaking. Anything but powerless, as they continue to tap into the tenacity of yore to overcome adversity and achieve their dreams, society hasn’t heard the last of the Baby Boomers.
Baby Boomers didn’t sell out to the establishment. Boomers simply helped create a better one, with strength, intelligence, and tenacity, and went on to raise responsible children who are now at the helm of major corporations and branches of our government. Boomer offspring are the new establishment and kicking butt – with newly developed technologies and strategies, and hopefully, with like-minded values and humanity in mind.
Baby Boomers -- Look at your daughters and sons. No, really look at them. While they may not have been created in your image exactly, you, my dear senior Boomers, have made your mark, not only on your children, but on society.
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