Future

In previous posts, “Aging” , “Death”, and “Heaven” I addressed the reality of many of us of a certain age not having a lot of time left and what that can mean to us personally.  

This post is about what we can do now to influence the future, after we are gone.

Many of us baby boomers are still kicking but, for the most part, we are done.  Done working, done raising kids and for some, we have even finished being relevant. 

“Oldies” on the radio are now songs from the 1980s and 1990s, not the 50s and 60s songs that we listened when we grew up. As a Vietnam Veteran, I am regularly now receiving “notices” about fellow Marines who are no longer with us.  

My dad and two of my uncles served in World War 2.  Of about 16,400,000 Americans who served with them, Statistica estimates that only about 87,000 will be alive by the end of 2024.  To put this in perspective, that is less than 1/2 of 1 %  of all of The Greatest Generation that served.  

The clock is ticking. Is it time for baby boomers to step aside? 

A few of my fellow boomers are still working, and God bless them for doing that.  Most of us, however, have now retired and either spend our time and money traveling, taking care of kids and grandkids, or just surviving on our own.

I share the concern of many Americans that the two most likely candidates for President in the upcoming (2024) election are both older than me.  It is time to “pass the torch.”  Regardless of policy or party, either one of these two candidates would lose to any reasonable candidate from the opposite party who was say, “In their 50s”.

So, what’s next?

Fortunately some of us have kids, grandkids or even in some cases, great-grandkids.  Even those with no direct descendants can “live on” through young people they have mentored, taught or worked with.  

What can us “Old Guys” do now? 

I have read numerous places where people do not remember what is said to them but they do remember how people made them feel.  In the military, one of the basic principles of leadership was, “Set the example.”

Save the lectures, they will fall on deaf ears.

For us of a certain age, the best thing we can do for those who follow us is through our behavior.  It is time for us boomers to act our age.  That means not being petty, lazy, vengeful, mean, self-righteous, or condescending.  

Kids and grandkids may not listen to us, but they will watch us.  They will see how we treat not only them, but others.   They will notice how we spend our money and our time.  

Trouble ahead? 

Yes, there is much to “worry” about concerning the future.  Climate change, loss of freedoms, the fall of democracies and the rise of dictators around the World. And don’t forget about the ever present danger of nuclear war which has never gone away.

Sadly, most of us can no longer have a direct impact on these “Big Issues.”    

We can, however, influence younger people who are still “in the game.”.  

Looking back I remember fondly the hard work, love of family, innovation and dedication to service and the greater good both my parents and my grandparents lived every day.  I can only remember some of what they said.  However,  I remember very vividly who they were and what they represented. 

It is time for all boomers to set a good example.