Category: Getting Older

Wrinkly Americans

My wife and I were flanked at the thread mills by two Wrinkly-Americans. Possibly 25 years our senior they moved slowly onto the machines and pushed the buttons quizzically to make them go. They paid no mind to time, us or the busy bodies around them. They figured out their routine and from time to time checked in on each other in a half nagging sort of way.
My wife and I looked at one another and noted the glimpse at a possible future. It looked pretty alright.

About the Kidz these Days

I have gotten into a bit of a bad habit lately. 

Like all old people that have come before me I’ve been finding myself carping about today’s youth when in a social setting. Typically, all the adults about me will agree when I point out how lazy they’ve gotten. 
How they don’t have the same work ethic we had. How entitled they are or how disconnected they can be with one another because they stare at phones all day. I judge them on their trends. The music they listen that doesn’t resemble the good stuff I used be into. Their shorthand is difficult for me to grasp and I’ve given conspiratorial sermons on how Emojis are the Newspeak that Orwell warned us about. From that stand point of having something easy to complain about this young group is an easy mark. 
The reality is that these kids aren’t really any different than the troubled and worried young man I used to be. The society they are inheriting is complex and difficult and many will achieve great things in spite of it. Many of them will bring much joy to the world and perhaps fix the messes my generation created. 
They’ll work hard because they’ll have to. 
They’ll figure out connections with one another because they’ll have to. 
They’ll earn their keep because they’ll have to. 
So…I’m going to start giving these guys a break and try to keep up with what’s hip-happening now…feel free to join me.

When We Young

Death is Taxing

When I was much younger but not yet 20 I wondered about my death often. 
It came about when I would hear my parents fight viciously behind closed doors. A desire for it happened when I discovered that my first love had cheated and had no need for me. As other high school kids began to receive their college admission letters and I was left without a pull towards the end also came. Though all these moments’ discomfort was temporary..in those minutes the saddest of thoughts seemed too overwhelming. 
Over the last 20 years I have come to respect life and yearn for it. I wish the man I am now could have reached out to the teen I was then and tell him that things do get better. Time machines do not exist alas but I hope to be a pillar of aid to my children when those angst ridden and hormonal days soon come.