I am a member of the “Silent
Generation,” that cohort born between 1925 and 1945, many of whom
served during the Korean War, including me. We were given the name by
Time Magazine in an article that described us as “unimaginative,
withdrawn, unadventurous and cautious.” Maybe it was because we
didn't subscribe.
Then came that group called the “Baby
Boomers,” to which we contributed two.
Now I read the first Boomers are
approaching their 70's with the usual fanfare and hand-wringing
associated with this self-absorbed group. Having been there, done
that, I can't get too excited about their generational milestone.
Frankly, my dears, I'm kind of tired of hearing about the Boomers and
all they've done to:
a) improve our lives,
b) screw up our lives,
c) become a damn nuisance.
I never understood the fuss made over
them just because there were so many of them. And now the fuss
continues because they are reaching a certain age. Hell, when we “Silents” reached that age no one made a fuss over us.
Am I jealous or grouchy or just plain
ornery? Or maybe I should just keep “silent.”
