Second Childhoods

I am not sure that the Baby Boomer generation will be having a second childhood.
At least to me, I didn't leave the first one behind. Fun, excitement, living in the moment, and pleasure have been our trademarks. I see us beginning to "retire" but I don't see us stopping. Now one thing is for certain, we worked hard. There were lots of us, and competetion was stiff for just about everything from parking space to college entry. And, then of course, we came of age during the first oil crisis in the 70's, where there were no jobs and the economy went south. Then we picked ourselves up and enjoyed the prosperity of the 80's and 90's. Those of us who did well may still have a nest egg. The rest of us will continue to work, for a while at least.

Now I remeber hearing about old folks who had second childhoods. They stopped being stern and grumpy and started to enjoy the simple things all over again. They laughed, played and felt at home with themselves. I don't think the Baby Boomers, a la Dennis Hopper's Amex commercial, have left that behind. Just look at any highway on a Sunday. Grey haired bikers, convertible couples, and fun seekers with arthritis are all over the place. Of course, I am in Florida, but just the same.................

I just came back from a trip to Epcot this weekend. It was terrific! Sun, fun, grazing at the Food and Wine Festival, thrill rides, whew! Then plopping myself in the Lazy River in a tube for a few hours and hot tubbing with my Margarita.. Now that's my childhood........................................

I looked at the 30 somethings with the twins in the strollers, saddled with their overstuffed diaper bags, and backpacks. No thank you, been there and done that. If I ever have a grandchild, there will be no stopping us. Remember Auntie Mame? That woman is ME. Just one adventure after another tasting the delights life has to offer. So I say no to a second childhood.

My advice - don't give up the first one.