Quirky Baby Boomers

Are the good old days gone?

I often think about the baby boomers. I am a baby boomer and suddenly find myself at the top of the family ladder. I now sit in the place once reserved for my grandparents and parents. As all of those family members passed on, I have now taken their place, a spot on the ladder of life that I was not ready for, nor especially yearned. I come to realize that each generation has their "Good old days."

I guess you could say my hubby and I are now the "Heads of the family, the matriarchs of our family." We are sitting where our grandmas and grandpas sat years ago when we were growing up. The younger generation is looking to us (or maybe not) for the supreme wisdom and advice we listened to our grandparents for so long ago.

Gone are the days of calling mom and dad or grandma or grandpa for advice and wisdom. We have finally reached the top of life's ladder in our families, and it gets pretty darn lonely way up there. If we did not learn and reap some of the wisdom that our parents and grandparents offered to us free of charge, then we missed out on a lovely free gift.

I look around and suddenly wonder where did everyone go? I do not like it—not one bit. I did not ask for this place in our family. Everyone in my family has long passed on. This scenario holds true for my husband's family. We are what our kids get, like it or not. My husband and I now sit at the pinnacle of life's ladder.

Is age just a state of mind?

My sister, my hubby, and I are now in our 70s, and she often thinks about this and will remark to me many times, "where has the time gone? I sure wish I could magically turn the clock back if just for a little while."

This remark is how I know that number 70 is scary to her in some ways. I say to her, "Sis, remember that researchers are now saying that 70 is the new 40. Life is just beginning for you and me, and do not forget that age is only a state of your mind."

Make a list of adventures you want to experience.

• Do you have a desire to bungee jump? Just do it.
• Do you have a desire to bungee jump? Just do it.
• Ever want to jump from a plane? If so, why have you not done it?
• Ever want to jump from a plane? If so, why have you not done it?
• Ever want to white water raft?
• Ever want to white water raft?

What have you always wanted to do but never got around to doing? Enjoy life to the fullest. You only have one shot at this.

Are the good ole days gone?

How I miss the sayings of Grandma and Grandpa and their infinite wisdom. The Good Ole Days are generation specific.

I believe that each generation in a family has said,

"This is not like the good old days, how I miss the good old days."

I find myself saying the same thing. What do the good old days mean for you?

For me, the good ole days were from 1950 to 1970. The good old days of my parents and grandparents were much earlier.

During the 1960s-1970s, so many things made their mark in history. Each generation claims things in history the same way.

The 1960s and 1970s were the good old days to me. These were the times I remember. Thus, these are, "My good old days." For example, long-gone are what I considered the good old entertainers, of the good old days, a bygone era.

No one can replace George Burns, and Gracie Allen, Lucille Ball, and Desi Arnez, Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Milton Burrell, Ed Sullivan, Jackie Gleeson, Jack Benny and Rochester, Fibber McGee and Molly, and the list goes on. Now they are all gone. Oh, how I miss "The good old days."

"Do You Think Money Grows on Trees?"When I was five years old, I believed my dad had a money tree.

As I entered my senior year in high school and on to nurses training, I remember my mom saying to me,

"Now don't put the cart before the horse."

My mom and dad were walking books of wisdom, and I always valued their advice any time I needed help making a decision. My mom always made the right choices, and I never remember her making a wrong decision about anything.

As I entered nurses training and continued to work nearly full-time, my dad would frequently give me these words of wisdom, saying,

"You are burning both ends of the candle; you need to prioritize and slow down."

Every generation seems to have favorite sayings.

My Father-in-Law

My husband planned our honeymoon in 1969 in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where my husband planned our honeymoon in 1969 in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Growing up, my husband, his brother, and sisters spent many an enjoyable time in Northern Michigan.

I had never visited the Upper Peninsula so my father-in-law tried to prepare me for the type of weather I would experience. He told me,

"It gets so cold where you are going that when a dog barks; you will not hear that bark until spring."

I am thankful for all the memories of bygone days and all my older generation of relatives, and I appreciate all that these older generations taught me. I hold their lessons close to my heart. I only pray that I am passing on to my children wisdom of the ages. They too will one day embrace their memories of yesterday.

My children are not yet fully aware of this lonely seat at the top of the ladder of life, and that one day they will be required to replace us.

Taking this seat is something that no parent can help their children avoid. This seat at the top of the family ladder is a responsibility that comes whether they want it or not. I hope they are more ready than I was. This time of life comes all too quick.

Top of the Family Ladder