Well, “the best of times, the worst of times.” Every generation gets what it gets and does the best it can. If nothing else, my generation got one of the best parties of all time.

I do take issue with “spoiled rotten.” Most boomers grew up in homes that were tiny by today’s standards, shared one bathroom, usually shared a bedroom, and had one family car. They also grew up in homes with two parents and stay at home moms. Everyone I knew worked after school or during the summer. Going to college was not yet ubiquitous. Almost unimaginable now. And air conditioning was for movie theaters and the wealthy. And let’s not even mention the sense of impending doom caused by the Draft.

If we were spoiled, it was because we were taught early on to expect better, better for us and better for our children. Perhaps even better for and from our country. Sadly, the willful destruction of the economy in the 70s and 80s ended hopes for better.

I remember well the assassinations, riots, war, strikes, race hatred, and cities in flames. Even so, I remember a sense of optimism and possibility that just no longer exists. I don’t miss tie-dye, but I miss that. :)