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It's been 50 years since that eventful year, 1969. The oldest Baby Boomers were 25 and the youngest just 5. The 5-year-olds won't have much memory of the year. Those Boomers born before 1960 or so will probably have more distinct memories.
The most vivid memory is, of course, the July 1969 moon landing. It is a memory easily recalled with all of this year's media surrounding the landing's 50th anniversary. There are other memories - Woodstock, the Beatles' last concert on the roof of the Apple building, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the Rolling Stones Concert at Altamont and the Manson murders of five innocent people.
Time goes on. Fifty years sure seems like a long time. Still, in looking back, the memories that began in 1969 keep their vitality. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are still with us. The Rolling Stones are still here. As is Robert Redford. Several Manson Family members are still in prison.
Paul Newman is gone, as are Janis Joplin, Keith Moon and Jimi Hendrix. It is said that about 70% of America's oldest boomers born in 1944 are still alive today. About 80% of us born in 1950 are still around.
We have today for new memories - new insights - new joys.
I'm glad that I lived through 1969. I don't think that back then I had any particular insights into its significance. Now, looking back, I have more insights about its particularities. All was not rosy then, as all is not rosy today.
That said, I hope that as we grow older, we appreciate more and understand more. At our best, we can choose to do good each day in a world that sorely needs good.
And whether you're a Boomer, from Generation X, or a Millennial, kindness begins with each of us, and it's a goal we can all strive for.
