We grew up in an analog world when computers took up a room and hardly affected our day-to-day lives. To communicate, we used typewriters and pens, and dialed a telephone and it just … rang. For entertainment, we listened to records. When traveling, we unfolded maps. To find information, we opened the encyclopedia. Think back … which pre-computer items or technologies do you miss? Which ones are you happy to see gone? Share your life before computers stories forward.

For most of our time on this planet, we have gone barefoot. Shoes evolved as utilitarian protection for our feet, but now they’re fashion statements, links to how we identify ourselves, and even status symbols. Did you wear penny loafers, with or without the pennies? Ever splurge on Air Jordans or Chuck Taylors? Maybe you’re on a first name basis with Manolo or revel in revealing the red sole of a Louboutin? From clogs to Crocs, from sneakers to stilettos, think back … about the memorable shoes in your life and the role they played. Tell us about a special pair, or entertain us with vignettes featuring some of your favorites. Share your shoes stories forward.

In the previous prompt we asked you to write about a rite of passage that marked a significant transition in your own life. Now we’d like you to think about the final rite of passage for a loved one, a friend, or an acquaintance. Think back . . . what type of ceremony was held, if any, for the person who died? Were you involved in the planning, one of the mourners, or even just a casual observer? What kind of final farewell do you want to have when your time is up? Share your final farewell stories forward.

All cultures celebrate rites of passage marking coming of age and other significant life transitions…walkabouts and vision quests come to mind. Here in the U.S., we baby boomers have experienced a wealth of our own cultural ceremonies and celebrations — bar or bat mitzvahs, quinceañeras, Sweet Sixteens, graduations, weddings, baby showers, birthdays, and retirement parties. Some rites of passage may be acknowledged more privately, like coming out and transitioning. Think back and pick one of your own rites of passage…did the experience bring about a noticeable shift in your way of looking at life? Was it what you expected, better, worse, or just different? How did it affect the rest of your life? Share your rites of passage stories forward.

Besides keeping ourselves physically fit, people of a certain age are now encouraged to exercise our brains to keep them healthy. While they might not eliminate all those dreaded senior moments, brain games such as crossword puzzles and Sudoku are supposed to help stave off cognitive decline. Think back … Do you remember the previous generation exercising their brains? If so, how? What brain games are you playing to stay sharp? Or do you knit or dance instead? Share your brain games stories forward.

We boomers have lost many things on our journey to this phase of life. Of course, possessions, but also jobs, relationships, opportunities, people we loved, and on occasion our way. But we have also recovered some of those lost relationships and possessions, started new relationships, and have found new opportunities, dreams, insights, and paths forward.
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One person’s junk can be another person’s treasure, especially at a yard sale. Whether before a move or because of the urge to purge, many of us have cleaned out our possessions and sold them on the lawn or from the garage. And, we might have combed through other people’s items looking for that unappreciated gem. Think back … What have you sold or bought and why? Are you a yard sale junkie? Did you ever make an exceptional find? Share your yard sales stories forward.

Most of us remember swearing we’d never do things our parents did. It might have been something small, like a habit you found annoying, maybe laughing or talking too loud. Or it might have been much larger, like a political or social view. Maybe it was obvious, like being hypercritical; or perhaps it was subtle, even passive aggressive. Think back…what have you done that you swore you’d never do? Share your I Swore I’d Never stories forward.

In 1960, the average family in America had 2.33 children. By 2019, that number had fallen to 1.9, with an increase of single-child families. August 12 is middle child day, but as the trend is to have fewer children, the middle child is rarer these days. Think back … How did birth order affect your life or your children’s lives? Do you agree with the stereotypes of diligent and driven firstborns, people-pleasing, peacemaking middle children, fun-loving, sociable lastborns, or spoiled, lonely only children? Share your birth order stories forward.

In An Essay on Criticism, Alexander Pope wrote the famous words, “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” International Forgiveness Day is August 2nd. Yet so many of us struggle with forgiving. Think back… Have you forgiven an old hurt, or do you feel forgiving would be letting someone off the hook for real harm done? Do you long for forgiveness from someone you have hurt? Can people really forgive and forget? How has forgiveness or the lack of it impacted your life? Share your forgiveness stories forward.