If you’re a boomer—particularly part of the cutting edge of this demographic—you have become accustomed to the hackneyed reference to the huge mass moving through the body of the snake.  It has never been particularly inspiring to think of yourself as a consequence of unchecked post-war euphoria.  But now, as we have completed the majority of our destined journey through the snake and find ourselves moving inescapably closer to becoming snake poop, the allusion and the reality are even less inspiring.  

We have been repeatedly reminded that we are choking the snake with our sheer numbers.  And, in fact, it seems that now more and more of us are trying to contact the social security administration—which should come as a surprise to no one.  After all, our progress through the snake has been slow and well documented.  But, as those of you who have attempted a call can confirm, a recording informs you that the social security administration is now serving over 50 million Americans, and as proof of that overwhelming fact, you can have the privilege of waiting 46 minutes before being given the privilege of speaking with a very nice person who can’t help you, thank you very much.  

You see, I’m retired now.  Yep.  Retired.  Sixty-six.  I came along in the third year of the boomer wave.  I’m guessing that I showed up early enough that the demographers hadn’t yet come up with a clever name—much less with an understanding of the magnitude of what was occurring in America.  But here we are.

I recently read that there are currently 76 million of us in the U. S.; that we are turning 65 at a rate of 10,000 per day and further, that we will continue to turn 65 at that rate for the next 18 years.  All of this makes me feel rather lemming-like.  

I’m sitting on the porch of our home, looking out over Puget Sound.  It is a spectacularly beautiful spring day, complete with exuberant rhododendrons and azaleas.  I just finished mowing the lawn.  I’m now free to do that simply because it’s a sunny day and the lawn needs it.  I no longer have to wait for the convergence of dry grass and Saturday.  Did I mention that I’m retired?

My goal here is to document life after everything else.  I suppose that there has always been time for reflection.  It’s just that we tend to fill it up with other stuff.  Now, I feel more inclined to consider what has past, and more to the point, what lies ahead.  

You are welcome to join me if you like.  But I feel like I have embarked on something that is important and urgent.  So I’m making the journey whether you come along or not.