Summing Up the Year ... on the Last Day of the Year

Good Morning,
Well, here we are, the last day of 2008. What a year, what a ride.
I don't consider myself to be someone who keeps track of all the trends ... I'll leave that to the media pundits, reporters, sociologists, etc. I do know a few things though, and want to address them from the baby boomer perspective .. and of course, throw in some of my opinions and personal experiences.
Here we go:

This is both a glorious time and a maddening time for boomers. For years, we've celebrated the magnificence of our generation. However, in the last year, we've drastically "slipped" from grace as we are now being blamed for all the greed and failures of our society. The articles abound.
Comment: Screw them if they can't take a joke. How dare the reporters throw out all the good we've done by trying to blame us for the atrocities we face now. We are still the best generation... we know how to do things at the grassroot level, to impact our society, to make a difference. Clinton and Bush, both at the top of boomer gen were president. One brought our country to surplus and the other brought us to debt. We obviously can't put all boomers in the same pocket. I do know, however, that if we were to reconnect to our 60's roots, we could mobilize the sort of efforts needed to make things better.

The economy has brought the thoughts of retirement to a halt for many OR driven people to joblessness before they were ready.
Comment: My sources tell me mostly, that they are not ready to retire. They feel like they still have years of value to give. However, that being said, being forced to stay in work because of 401 losses is a nightare for some. Remember, all who do retire do not just enter the ozone .. they actually take on projects, self-employment, volunteering in ways that are helpful. Much of this will be put on the back burner. And, for those who wanted to stay and work for years, well they may be the first to be shoved out.... and they will flail around a bit trying to figure it all out. It's a tough time.

We made history politically this year. We had two women on the ticket ... one an older boomer and the other not quite a boomer. And, we had the oldest candidate and a very young candidate who also happens to be an Afro-American. We have a President-elect who seems to be creating hopefulness. He's a very young boomer... barely one... but let's give him a chance.
Comment: It's fascinating to watch history be made .. to see things we never thought we would see. And, in many ways, to me, it's interesting to pass the baton over to the next generation. I also love that so many millenials voted in the last election -- that's huge.
Personal Comment: My son, age 30, is the lead singer of a band. His band was among many others that urged the youth of the nation to vote ... great to see them all becoming dedicated to how our country can be.

As for the turning of the year to 2009, I'll probably write tomorrow, but briefly, I want you to know that I'm filled with hope. The country has been in a rut, many of us have been in a rut personally. Well, it's time. When you want things to be different (my byline) ... then now is your chance to make them different. It's up to each of us to do that. Otherwise, you can't complain. If you do what you've always done, you get what you've always gotten. Period.

So, when I go to sleep tonight, after watching the ball drop (and even though I'm in NY, there's no way I'll be downtown in that mess) I'll be a year older. Remember, I'm the Head Boomer -- your leader of sorts, born first day of our generation. I'll be 63 in the morning at 8:16 a.m..... not the first, but still pretty early.

Happy ringing in the New Year.
And, if anyone wants it, I have an assessment for the year. You can sit down in a little quiet moment and reflect over the past and the future. If you want it, email me at ann@annfry.com and put New Year Assessment in the subject.

Have a blast tonight.
ann