I was recently reflecting about people in the generation before me. I think of those who are still active and full of life. I also think of the people of that generation who led active lives until they passed away.
I often have wondered what it is and was about them that either makes or did make them so full of life. What does continually drive or did drive them to live life to the fullest.
One common denominator may be that most people of that nature, I believe, have a positive outlook on life.
Also, many if not most seemed to possess a great deal of humility.
Another is they have worked hard or did work hard all of their lives. They don’t look for a handout. They appreciate and did appreciate the small things in life. They aren’t looking and weren’t looking to win the lottery.
They accepted and are receptive to deal with what life offers and brings or brought them, knowing there are and were ups and downs. When down, they look and looked to getting back up and going on and meeting and met the next challenge before them.
My wife a few years back gave me a couple of books as Christmas presents. They are two of the best I have ever read in my life.
One of them is the book titled, “The Greatest Generation,” by Tom Brokaw. It’s an extensive compilation of men and women who lived and are still part of that large group of people I’m talking about.
Another deep common thread among those of that generation, I believe, is most all either do or did have a deep faith and trust in the Lord.
They accept and did accept life on life’s terms, knowing that everything is and was going to be all right.
It would be hard to begin naming some of them without hurting someone’s feelings probably and I realize that. There’s not enough space here, of course, but there are a few I began thinking about as I pondered this column.
I thought it was best to stay with family members and relatives who I see have fit some of those attributes.
I think of my parents and some of their siblings who sacrificed so much for me, my sister and our late brother and their siblings’ families to give all a good life.
Some may argue it wasn’t the best life, but it was as good as they could provide I think.
My late cousin Bill Mansfield and his wife Carolyn were hard, tireless workers and family meant everything to them as well.
I’m grateful for all my cousins, too, who have grown into what I believe are good people.
These are but a few who come to mind.