I am a Baby Boomer.
Boomer’s Rule
Do you know that Baby Boomers represent the largest population in the United States? We were born directly after World War II; our birth was a celebration, not a planned pregnancy. Our parents did not use birth control. Being born to a family of seven like mine was common. My mother had nine siblings, and each of them had more than four children. We populated the world.
eLearn Industry
According to eLearn Industry, these are the characteristics of Baby Boomers:
- Strong work ethic;
- Self-assured, we are independent;
- We like competition
- We are goal oriented;
- Resourceful;
- Mentally focused;
- Team oriented; and
- Disciplined.
Lynda
For as long as I can remember, work was part of my life. We lived in Brawley, a farming town that grew all types of vegetables and fruits. My first job was picking tomatoes. So at the ripe age of 12 I understood that working brought many benefits. The wages were paid in cash, ranging from $12-$15 per day. I will never forget the great reward of purchasing a pair of white shorts and a turquoise top; nothing was more satisfying. We gave most of our earnings to our mother to help out with our daily needs.
In addition at the age of 15 I worked for a family-owned fast food company. The owner trusted me to run her business because I was honest. Sometimes we would run short of meat for the burritos, so I would add more juice or beans. Learning to become resourceful was part of my little job.
In college I continued to work at the fast food establishment but also had a job working in the Spanish language lab. I never had a car so I’d walk or take public transportation. This was the norm in my life, until our older sister Jo, who worked, purchased a vehicle. The two-seater convertible, that Jo purchased was the pride of our youth.
Mike
My husband Mike has been working since he was 12 years old. His family owned a tortilla factory, so Mike’s father would take him to collect cardboard boxes from liquor and grocery stores. These boxes were recycled and used for packing tortillas for delivery. Mike received five cents per cardboard box. He remembers going to work with his dad on a regular basis. When he turned 16 he was given the responsibility of a local route driver. Mike also took over the vacation routes of the company drivers. In addition Mike had a part-time job as a janitor at a convalescent hospital.
Mike was attending San Diego State when his father had a stroke. He came home to help run the factory and enrolled at Cal Poly Pomona to finish his education. Logistically Cal Poly was closer to home; however, when his father suffered a second stroke, Mike took over the tortilla factory and had to work full-time. So he transferred to the University of Riverside.
Our Union
By the age of twenty Mike had purchased a home. We met and shortly after this were married. Working in the front office of the factory was my new job. Checking in the drivers and taking phone orders were just a small part of what was required.
Miguel, Mike’s Dad
Mike had a special relationship with his father and, on many occasions, his father shared with him that he had changed his will. He told Mike that he made him the executor of the new will. Mike was too young to understand the ramifications of this conversation. So when his father passed away, his older sister from a previous marriage took over the business. She was the executrix of the original will. She did not waste any time in eliminating our positions. By trade she was a realtor and did not have any attachment to the company. She did not care how this would affect all the employees, including her brother. She was ruthless and quickly liquidated the company.
Boomers Bounce Back
What we have endured as a couple is living proof of how resilient Boomers are. Mike did not miss a beat. We packed up and moved to Santa Barbara to become part owners of a new tortilla factory. You can read about the venture in my other Blogs. 
The 70’s Birthday Party
Our friend Hazel was celebrating her 70th birthday where we had to dress like we did in the seventies. Both Mike and I were borderline hippies, so this was a no brainer. I loved the freedom of this era: bellbottoms, leather vests with fringe, flowers in your hair. I did not have to go out looking for an outfit to wear because in my heart I’m still a hippie. This was a wonderful gathering filled with love.
Free Love
This was a period of time that changed the world. When you developed the mentality of free love, it takes on a whole new meaning. Many of our acquaintances and co-workers in Santa Barbara were actual hippies. They lived a life of drugs and sex, so we watched their lives unravel before our eyes. This type of free love was self-serving and destructive. Thank the good Lord that He spared us from this lifestyle. As lost as I was during this time of my life, I never lost sight of God.
God’s Free Love
The love that God demonstrates for us is so fulfilling, nothing can compare to it! We will never fully understand God’s love because what He asks of us is so simple that we get lost trying to figure it out. As Christians we are to be living examples of love. This is a massive undertaking: what is required of us during these tumultuous times is to receive everyone in the love of God.
My Prayer
Dear Lord, as we Baby Boomers enter into our last chapter of life, give us godly wisdom to walk in Your shadow. Give us good health and guidance. And teach us to operate in Your perfect love. Amen.
