The Greatest Generation

After two years, to the day, and another child added to the Musing clan, I have returned to writing, in all its honest and embarrassing rapture. I am mostly returning because I have so many things I need to say, and because it's therapeutic.

So what I want to say today, I actually was also considering last Sunday night. Husby and I were watching the James Taylor Carole King PBS special. I was watching these two just-aging graceful peaceful souls, and listening to their clear voices. Their singing sounds like years of life experience. It was nearly heartbreaking to watch them. Their singing and their faces and their love for their profession and one another ....all the reconciliations of their lives...it was palpable. They reminded me of my parents' friends. And even a little bit of my parents, too.

I thought about these people who are just on the cusp of old age. You can read about them all over the New York Times, the Baby Boomers, how they never grew up, how they are going to cost our country - ALL countries - mega mega mega money. But watching these two made me think about how this generation tried to be so peaceful, so different. They tried to turn everything upside down and YET they were, and are still, so dutiful and honorable to their parents. They weren't disrespectful, not really. My mother never would have embarrassed her family or herself. These people got up and went to fight -- to die -- when they were called to do so. They subjugated their preferences and passions to do what they were supposed to do. AND they protested foolishness in ways that they could; they fought for fairness, with optimistic intention. And I think they showed the same respect -- perhaps awe -- to their children, which may or may not have been in everyone's best interest. But these people were brave to be something new, while also showing deference and respect for the ones who brought them to the dance. I admire that.

"The Greatest Generation" was the one who fought World War II. Whether our grandparents were fighting for one country or another, it hardly seems to matter. They are admired for their bravery in battle -- in fighting to keep things same, safe and stable. I thank them all. But this next group of human beings were seemingly inspired to take the fight to another level. To fight for harmony, justice. They tried so hard to swim against the current, because they were so inspired to do it better. They didn't do it perfectly. Who does? And they, too, are worthy of our attention and gratitude.

So thank you for showing us a new way to live in the world, and thank you with all my heart -- to my parents and all their friends whom I watched throughout my childhood -- for bringing me up to the dance.