Was that me?…….so many years ago??

Youth, middle age, older and elderly. Having passed most of these life stages (that’s what sliding into seventy was all about) I have opinions. AND, no one cares. I have asked myself if I was so thoughtless not so long ago?

I can huff and puff every day about “this and that” and believe I have valid thoughts. Sanity has not escaped me: YET. However, as I look around it appears that sanity has escaped a lot of folks in our world.

Here’s the way it works for me: I have lived 75 years. Raised in a very secure family setting; but an only child. Not spoiled, made to work for what I wanted. Given strong guidance, but forced to make my own decisions. My parents probably worried a lot about my choices. Just like I watch my children and think about their choices. Why did they do something…..wouldn’t a different way get better results? Etc.

Everett and I have four sons. Two his, two mine. Our children are responsible citizens. We are proud of them. We respect their right to view life within their culture. It’s entirely different from  our generational philosophies.

When we were younger and raising our families were we listening to our elders? No. We wanted the right to choose our own pathway. We made mistakes, and made some good decisions. What if we had listened to those who had gone before us? We’ll never know. It’s the way humanity moves through time.

My point is this: everything we have done in our past is forever imprinted in our brain. Nothing can be erased. Everyday that past is replayed. Sometimes it makes our decision making easier, sometimes more difficult. Always the question: what if I had done “this or that”….what would it have done to my future? What if I had sought outside opinions…..and listened? And acted accordingly?  Wouldn’t that experience be good for someone else to help their life?

The outcome for me has been good, in spite of the mistakes. I have wonderful children and grandchildren who love me. (not sure about the respect part); their Dad adored each of them; he stuck with me through the good and the bad. Today I have a wonderful life with a good man. I don’t think my kids worry about taking care of me…..only where the house key is in case we don’t make it home!

So many years ago….was I so thoughtless towards my elders? In so many areas of our culture the older generation is ignored. I remember thinking that my Dad was entirely too opinionated. Not open minded. Today I am opinionated. 75 years worth of experience all rolled into one brain.

We have a culture that doesn’t care and will repeat the same mistakes over and over. I guess that’s the way it has always been. Each generation has to learn for themselves. There ought to be a book about some guidelines that would make us smarter. Oh, guess there is……….