Adult Boys – perhaps that’s an oxymoron or contradiction in terms? But, in my mind, it’s an apt description of many young adults today; many so-called “millennials,” of which I have two. My two are now out of the house and we are empty nesters. In many ways, I am quite happy and, to my surprise, adjusted very quickly to their absence. In other ways, I’m alarmed or concerned or just mystified (by their generation).
Perhaps this is the perfect topic for my new focus on boomers in my writing. After all, I’m fond of saying that “pretty much, the only good thing to come from MY generation is rock ‘n’ roll.”
The other night I attended a concert at a local, wonderful venue – The Egyptian Theatre – in Park City, Utah. B.J. Thomas – 73 – was closing a three-day stint. I looked around the audience and wondered why there were so many “old people” there. Then I remembered that I was one of those “old people.” Not in spirit, certainly, but in birth date!
~~ How can the University of California actually declare that the line that, There are two races of people: the decent and the indecent, is racist?
~~ Why are outsiders such as Donald Trump and Dr. Ben Carson dominating the Republican primary polls (so far)?
~~ How could an avowed Socialist become so important in the Democratic primaries?
~~ Do you believe our country is better or worse since President Obama has been in office?
~~ Other than some good rock ‘n’ roll, what good has my generation – the Baby Boomer’s – done for our country?
~~ Is a government shutdown (ever) a good thing?
These are questions I am asking myself these days and asking you. I am more concerned about our country and the violence worldwide than I’ve ever been. I try to have hope, but I often feel hopeless. I am grateful to have grown up and prospered when I did, but fear immensely for my kids’ futures.
Lately, a lot of things have been going on in my life. And, my ability to influence them – aka control them – is pretty much ZILCH. What a surprise. I like to quote myself and the title of this column is one of my quotes. In fact, on my website I have a scrolling quote bar right below my name at the top of each page.
I am going through more changes in my life than, perhaps, at any other time. Many of these changes are exciting; many are scary; and some are just sad.
There is a reason that money is on that short list of things that couples argue about most. What are the other things? Sex, and the kids, of course. With the state of our worldwide economy being in such flux, money is a more pressing issue for couples and families than any other time in my life. Plus, we have the glorious – and I use that word facetiously* – social development in which both parents work, more than ever before. Financial literacy for our kids and us is more important than ever before!
