Simply brilliant. Thank you for putting into words a situation that fits me so well, but not understood. The coast is clear to live forward, with purpose & intention.
Wonderful and thought provoking as always - thank you for setting this all down so clearly. I was most struck by the observation that eventually you become the senior generation with no-one above you. I had sensed this coming but hadn't managed to think through what it meant (i.e. carrying the generational buck). As the senior generation we'll need to think carefully where we add value because the youngsters can use YouTube to find out how to fix/build things and source masses of information from Chat GPT and Claude etc - but there is, as you say, the opportunity for us to share our lifetime of experiences, wisdom, love, passions and mistakes (and what we can remember of our family history, or we could just make some stuff up......!!).
Excellent read. One thing I have focused on is being a great grandpa. That means being involved with them as physically possible….letting them know you care and love them. With 15 of them it is a full time job! I did not have a good relationship with my grandparents so I wanted to make sure I have with my grandkids. The Good Lord has really blessed me. Thanks again!
Perfectly described again! A couple of years ago at 68 , my daughter talked me into climbing a few problems in the local climbing gym. After the second session in the car on the way home she asked me how I felt. "Alive and energized by adrenaline " she responded " that is why I climb"
Really well done piece. I would like to add that when a spouse dies (during this open sandwich phase), the once lovely sandwich becomes a bowl of stale, leftovers, sans condiments, and sprinkled with deep bouts of grief.
Well done Dan. This essay gave a fresh way to consider my life. I would call out a related aspect to this phase: What that open face sandwich looks like - and feels like - when the previous bread, be parents or children - disappears very very slowly (slow prolonged illness of an elder?) or in a way unlike what one envisioned (kids with various challenges, including getting a foothold in adult life).
I'm in this position now and I was just saying to my husband what a window of opportunity this time in our lives is. Clearly, we don't know how long it will last and enjoying each and every day is the way to go!
Beautiful and thought provoking. Thank you.
This was quite lovely and insightful. Thank you.
Simply brilliant. Thank you for putting into words a situation that fits me so well, but not understood. The coast is clear to live forward, with purpose & intention.
Wonderful and thought provoking as always - thank you for setting this all down so clearly. I was most struck by the observation that eventually you become the senior generation with no-one above you. I had sensed this coming but hadn't managed to think through what it meant (i.e. carrying the generational buck). As the senior generation we'll need to think carefully where we add value because the youngsters can use YouTube to find out how to fix/build things and source masses of information from Chat GPT and Claude etc - but there is, as you say, the opportunity for us to share our lifetime of experiences, wisdom, love, passions and mistakes (and what we can remember of our family history, or we could just make some stuff up......!!).
Excellent read. One thing I have focused on is being a great grandpa. That means being involved with them as physically possible….letting them know you care and love them. With 15 of them it is a full time job! I did not have a good relationship with my grandparents so I wanted to make sure I have with my grandkids. The Good Lord has really blessed me. Thanks again!
Perfectly described again! A couple of years ago at 68 , my daughter talked me into climbing a few problems in the local climbing gym. After the second session in the car on the way home she asked me how I felt. "Alive and energized by adrenaline " she responded " that is why I climb"
Really well done piece. I would like to add that when a spouse dies (during this open sandwich phase), the once lovely sandwich becomes a bowl of stale, leftovers, sans condiments, and sprinkled with deep bouts of grief.
Wow. Thanks for this.
Love this analogy, Dan. Have to say, at one time my life was like a triple decker sandwich! But glad to say I’ve peeled off all the layers now! 🙋♂️🙏😊
Well done Dan. This essay gave a fresh way to consider my life. I would call out a related aspect to this phase: What that open face sandwich looks like - and feels like - when the previous bread, be parents or children - disappears very very slowly (slow prolonged illness of an elder?) or in a way unlike what one envisioned (kids with various challenges, including getting a foothold in adult life).
Thank you.
Very insightful! Thank you.
Beautiful writing. Thank you!
This really resonates.... Thank YOU for such a beautiful articulation of an oft neglected situation.
@Eddie Lakin
I'm in this position now and I was just saying to my husband what a window of opportunity this time in our lives is. Clearly, we don't know how long it will last and enjoying each and every day is the way to go!