Rolland E. Kidder

 

The Post-Journal

 

Having All Ages Together Is Important

LOCAL COMMENTARIES

DEC 31, 2022

ROLLAND KIDDER

 At a holiday party recently, a young woman and mother, half my age–came up to me and said: “Isn’t it wonderful that we have all of these generations gathered here in the same place?!”

There were old-timers like me there, sequestered in chairs trying to stay on the fringes of the party and not get trampled. There were young Moms and Dads running things and dominating the kitchen. And then… there were kids of all ages (down to kindergarten) milling around having a good time and many focused on loading their plates with cookies.

I have thought about that young woman’s comments, and believe that she really put her finger on something. It is important that there be gatherings and interactions between people of all ages, of different generations. It reminds us of who we are.

Opposed to the positives in such gatherings are other instincts which tend to thwart them. For example, now, as a bona fide senior citizen, I find that I want things that are simple, uncluttered and yes, quiet. I don’t appreciate the noise and “hullabaloo” of life as I did when I was younger. I love seeing my grandchildren, but I also look forward to getting to bed early where I can turn out the lights, shut out the noise and get a good night’s sleep.

I seem to have zero interest in what the latest fad is, or who is topping out on the song charts. When people talk of jazz, I think of Brubeck. (Who was that?) And, my music tastes tend toward country western, and not what I call “rock/rap” where a few words are repeated over and over to the accompaniment of loud “bangy” noise that the kids today call music. As you can see, I haven’t figured out yet why the younger half of the world is doing what it does.

I am especially resistant to cell phones. I have one so that my wife can keep track of me. But, it irks me when I see my grandkids glued to one so much of the time. As to social media–forget it! A telephone call and at most an e mail, are good enough for me.

So, there are impediments to mixing the generations together.

I am sure the differences are also apparent from the other end of the age spectrum: “What are these old fogies thinking?” “Are they thinking?” “I love them but I have no idea of who Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were.” “Where does my Papa come up with this stuff?” “Why does he keeping talking about World War II?” etc.

Yet, it is in these indescribable differences we have, that there is a richness in relationship. Someday they will be where I am. I was once where they are. They know that someday they will look like me–gray hair and all. People say that a young girl looks just like her mother, who, in turn, looks just like her grandmother. It is all a part of the mix.

I am glad that we sometimes have such a mix of people and ages together. That young lady who said so over the holidays was right. Getting the generations together is a good thing.

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident and a former member of the state Assembly.