Pre-Boomer Musings

The spirit of Christmas seems to have changed over the recent decades.  It was just 60 years ago when Americans were building homes, buying cars and watching TV as if they couldn’t get enough of things not even dreamed of during the great depression and the world war that followed.  The country was making up for lost time, and spending money was an effective way to do it.  Was this when the holiday tradition of giving was transformed into the notion that everyday should be a time to receive?

Throughout the last half of the 20th century and until the recession hit us like a ton of bricks we spent without much regard to the future.  Accept for some bumps along the way, the road was pretty smooth and everything was rosy.  We were so used to the good times there was little thought about the possibility of an impending disaster ahead.  Pre-boomers, for the most part, were retired or making plans to slow down when the wheels fell off the nation’s economic engine. 

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We draw back in fear and almost immediately shut down our spending.  A fixed income, or the prospects of one, coupled with dwindling savings and a reduced investment portfolio served as a wake up call with all the finesse of a drill sergeant shouting at recruits to get out of their bunks at 4 AM.  Things seem to be improving, albeit at a slow up and down rate.  It will be sometime before we feel financially comfortable again.  And, chances are, the pre-boomer generation might never look at the future in the same way we did 18 months ago.

Nonetheless, there are many things for which to be thankful.  It’s been a good run for us, and it’s not over yet.  We had the opportunity to live life and experience all it joys and sorrows.  This has made us stronger, wiser and hopefully better individuals.  The lessons we’ve learned are to be passed on to others: family, friends and the community at large.  This is our right of passage as well as our responsibility.  And this holiday season we have a chance to make others better off by making donations to those who need our help.

You have probably received mail from numerous charities asking for donations.  Giving was down last year and is expected to continue to be low at a time when more people are in need.  The folks served by these worthwhile organizations are in bad shape; many suffer physically, emotionally, spiritually and certainly financially.  Pick a charity, just one will do but select more if you can, and write them a check.  It doesn’t have to be for much; 5, 10 or 20 dollars from each of us can make a big difference.

Recently, I thumbed through a stack of the donation request letters and was about to cull out what I thought were the marginal ones.  Instead, for no apparent reason, I decided to send something to all of them.  It was amazing; with each check I wrote the better I felt.  Soon I caught myself whistling the holiday song “White Christmas.”  When I finished sealing the final envelope, I was acutely aware that the true gift of Christmas is the one you give to someone else.

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