A birthday is one of life's benchmarks reminding us of our mortality. One's own birthday--or in this case, my birthday—reminds me annually that I'm moving on, slipping up, and spreading out. Four sleeps from this paper coming out, and I will reach the grand old age of fifty-nine years.
Re-stated: I will be entering my sixtieth year on this planet, come Saturday, July 27.
It makes me look ahead, knowing that, at least on paper, I have lived two-thirds of my life, that most of my productive years are behind me. I am fully aware that many innovations, discoveries, and enterprises have been started by men and women over sixty. But in the main, that is not the case.
It also makes me look behind, taking a panoramic view (or would that be called a “review?) of what was once my life, with all its highlights and lowlights.
By nature, I tend to be a visionary, a mover-shaker type of guy, and I get a real genuine rush starting things from scratch. In other areas, though, I tend to be quite a reactionary--meals and electronics being two examples. I'm in one those morose, reflective moods at this moment, so bear with me.
But bigger than me or mine or my world, I look back at a time when I felt more at home in it than I do now. I have seen some significant changes in my world over these last fifty-plus years—some good, some not so good. Oh, I know we've come a long way in terms of electronic gadgets, house construction, and even automobiles, but isn't there more life than things?
Beyond the electronics, wood, and metal, there are some significant intangibles that I feel are missing in today's world. (Maurice, “intangibles” would be things that you can't touch, plug in, or, package up, but are nonetheless very real. True love, loyal support, and moral standards would be a good place to start.)
Pick your segment, any segment, of the world that once was. Education? Economics? Politics? Religion? Entertainment? Music? Business? I think you will agree with me that there has been a significant shift in what those products look like, in how products are delivered—and who delivers them.
Let's focus on something that we all have a stake in, namely, family life. It has changed drastically in these past two generations; that's a given. What was once the norm is now the exception. A word picture is in order here: We've gone from “Father Knows Best” to “Married with Children.” We've gone from the expectation of being a stay-at-home mother to the stigma of being one (as in “do you work or are you just a housewife?”). Throw in family size, while you're at it.
(Note: I am not arguing against women working outside the home or smaller families—just lamenting that those who choose a traditional route are held in contempt.)
I will argue that change can be good, but I have seen too many changes that leave my head shaking. I wonder what the generation in front of me thinks about said shifts. Again, pick your decade and see if what we have today is qualitatively better than it was back in the '40s or '50s.
You could argue that within each time period things were bad back then, and I would agree with you--for the most part. I agree that there was a problem with the broken homes (with deadbeat dads and crummy moms), with abusive teachers and conniving employers—just not to same extent. Not even close. I may be wistful, but I am not naive. I am fully aware of these and other abuses.
In the main, though, those were the exception then, not the norm. Today, I suggest, with our moral and ethical compass out of whack, those abuses are more the norm, not the exception. Easy divorce, fast money, fatherless homes, and the Internet are among other contributing factors. And did I say anything about rampant drug use?
Part of the basis for my melancholy as I write this is my grandchildren--not because of what they are, but because of what they face. What sort of society am I creating for them? If the world I was raised in essentially no longer exists, how much more different will it be for them?
Will it be a safer, healthier, better world for them? While I'm at it, what about your children and grandchildren? Our world could be a better place; not all is lost. Each parent has to make that decision to do his or her part. As does each politician, each pastor, each professional—in short, each individual.
It's my birthday, and I want a great present. And don't forget: A great present always leads to a great future.
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