As you probably know, baby boomers represent the population group born between 1946 and 1964.
There was a baby boom (wink-wink, nudge-nudge) when soldiers returned home after World War II.
We are known as a hardworking group with a high work ethic. We were an economically influential generation and believe in family values.
We made some changes along the way. We fought for social freedoms and social change.
We witnessed some of the most important world events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the assassinations of John and Bobby Kennedy, Woodstock, the first landing on the moon, Beatlemania and many more.
We demonstrated for women’s, gay and civil rights. Progress has been made in all of these areas, but we still have things to work on.
We marched against nuclear weapons. (1, 2, 3, 4 – we don’t want a nuclear war! 2, 4, 6, 8 – we don’t want to shine!)
We helped influence the end of the Vietnam War. We believe in helping others and giving our time generously.
I recently saw people volunteer to spend their time in the townhouse complex I live in.
It is run by a shift council and that includes a president, a vice president, a secretary … the usual positions of the council.
You’ve probably heard horror stories about Stratas. Some of them can be bureaucratic nightmares in which retirees struggle for control over a whole range of issues.
Most of the members of the Shift Council have years of professional experience and, depending on their professional career, may have difficulty working together. Many of them do not like to suffer fools either. Wisdom becomes less important (sometimes) with age and patience.
Our group is uniquely different. There is always laughter when they work together and everyone is so ready to get involved and help.
Our president calls for help and six to eight people show up with work gloves and shovels in hand. The work they help with is often physical. Most of them are in their 70s, some closer to 80 than others. (You see, there are still muscles, along with the brain, when you are in your seventh decade.)
Last year they felled a fairly large tree, then felled it and gave it all away. Recently, they were working on buried lines (non-electrical) that required moving large amounts of 40mm of mixed rock. Rakes, wheelbarrows, shovels, and brooms were all brought to the construction site, and everyone naturally did what was necessary and respectfully consulted when necessary.
They are an interesting mix and all of their individual skills contribute to any project.
We have carpenters, construction workers, a machinist, a logger, someone who worked for BC Hydro, another person who did repairs on RVs, and also some ranchers, a teacher, and a few entrepreneurs. Sincerely, by running the Layers Library and Block Watch.
All of this volunteering helps keep our expenses down and our shift fees reasonable.
We strengthened each other during the COVID-19 pandemic as we gather in good weather and sit six feet apart in a large circle in front of one of the townhouses.
We share stories, experiences and keep an eye on each other without being intrusive.
We also laugh together and release endorphins that make us feel good despite the pandemic.
I look around the group and think how lucky I am to live here. In a way, we’re almost like family, knowing that if something awkward happens in the middle of the night, we only have to make one phone call.
It seems that our work ethic extends to and includes our hearts as well.
Carole Fawcett is an editor, freelance writer, and retired consultant. www.wordaffair.com
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