Evolving
My parents were part of the Greatest Generation. That generation endured many hardships, trials, and tribulations and made America great through their sacrifice, tenacity, and ability to overcome. They grew up prior and during the Great Depression, fought and won a World War, and industrialized our country. I believe most importantly, they raised the generation of Baby Boomers as families “back in the day” were mostly “nuclear” and their #1 priority. For the most part, moms stayed at home raising their children while dads provided for the family by going to work and the family unit was strong.
The Greatest Generation was involved in cultivating American society and doing so in a very positive way. Our folks were extremely supportive–of each other and all others. Our society was willing to work together for the same causes and not only was there civility, but there was trust. Seemingly, we all went to church, received an excellent public-school education, ate family dinners, and participated in planned family activities. We, Baby Boomers, grew up with structure, standards, expectations, and accountability.
Baby Boomers have been so very fortunate to have lived during this era of our history. Growing up in Arlington in the 1950’s and 60’s while living in Colonial Village was wonderful. I fondly recall most extracurricular activities took place at Wilson Elementary School which is where we all gathered for fun. Walking there was merely a ten-minute walk or a five-minute bike ride and the community was inviting. Anyone you came into contact with was friendly, polite, and courteous as everyone seemed to look out for one another–you felt very safe.
At Wilson, we’d all meet after school and on weekends to play the sport which was in season whether it was football, basketball, or baseball. During summer months, the Arlington County Recreation Department would set up at the school Monday-Friday and create a full calendar of activities. We even formed a softball team that would compete against schools once a week. We all got along so well and we enjoyed so much fun! Life was carefree with little responsibility and extremely rewarding as we all conformed to the expectations that were set.
Our generation has experienced so much over the years and, yes, we have evolved. We’ve experienced a sound upbringing, an excellent education, knowing the difference between right and wrong, and true love. We trusted and respected our elected officials, our police and first responders, our newspapers, those who reported the news, our sports idols, our actors and performers in the entertainment industry, and each other. The music of the 1960’s and early 70’s was wonderful, so was TV, and we enjoyed the movies. We’ve lived through and survived the turbulent 60’s, racial turbulence, political division, going to the moon, and Vietnam.
We’ve continued to evolve through the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and post Y2K. Not to belabor all that we’ve experienced only to say that changes in technology and advances in medicine have been nothing but amazing and history does, indeed, seemingly repeat itself. Yet, our world is different today as we’ve each individually evolved into who we are as human beings. Unfortunately, who we’ve become, for the most part, is disappointing as our American society as I once knew it has all but disappeared.
This Baby Boomer believes how one evolves is a personal decision influenced by your environment. Due to my upbringing, I’m comfortable in having structure, standards, expectations, and accountability. Too many Millennials or those of Generation Z grew up much differently and their evolving is so dissimilar as to that of my experience.
Hey, I embrace rules and codes of conduct such as related to behavior and even dress. I was raised to have respect for others and to trust others. I’ve always tried my best to be honest although I’ve told my fair share of “white lies”, but nothing is more important to me than my personal integrity. I’m also comfortable in developing a consistent daily routine which works for me and those around me. I remember being brought up to love my family and my country. I also recall saying daily in school the Lord’s Prayer and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Evolving should transcend through the foundation of your youth, your surroundings, and your experiences. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Millennials and those from Generation X have never been given what we Baby Boomer’s were given growing up and that’s why our American society is in the state it is today.
It’s unfortunate that my evolving has taken the negative turn that is has today. I no longer feel comfortable, I don’t feel safe, I’ve lost a great deal of respect for humanity, and I trust no one. At this stage of my life, I expected more and I bet you did as well. I’ve evolved to abhor what’s going on versus justify and embrace our current situation as there is no structure, no standards, no expectations, and certainly no accountability.
Our society is angry, hateful, and deceitful. Honesty and integrity are long gone. No longer are we selfless and giving, but now we’re selfish and greedy as it’s all about “me” and no longer about “we”. I knew as I grew older, I would evolve from living in an apartment community, to a townhouse, then a home in suburbia, but I never thought I’d ever evolve to escaping society and moving to a rural setting on ten acres, Jeez, I’m a “city dweller” for goodness gracious.
At Vanderbilt, I earned what they referred to as an interdepartmental major receiving my BA in economics, history, and political science with the intention of attending law school. I was fortunately accepted to the law school at UVA with the plan of going into the family business and eventually seeking political office. I was an active member of society way back then being a member of the Young Civitan’s Club, the Young Democrats, and Toastmasters, but ultimately completely changed direction. Frankly, I was tired of school as my course of study in college was extremely challenging and decided working with my father would be a bit daunting. Politics was beginning to get a bit nasty, so I changed career paths and headed to work in the supermarket industry which ultimately turned out to be a wise decision, especially, with the reputation lawyers and politicians have earned today–I evolved.
Too many blame and continue to use as an excuse the coronavirus pandemic of 2020. This Baby Boomer can’t buy into that reasoning and merely states for our American society to gain some order again it will take a generation who is willing to sacrifice just like the Greatest Generation did. I’m just not so sure I see that happening too soon–I hope it won’t be too late as I continue to evolve finding life to be an evolving journey!!