Class of 1974, Here We Are Today

 Submitted by Debra O'Rourke Ross

Many have passed away, and those who are still here are called “elderly.”

• We were born in the 50s and 60s

• We grew up in the 50’s-60’s-70’s.

• We studied in the 60’s-70’s-80’s.

• We were together in the 70’s-80’s-90’s.

• We got married or not and discovered the world in the 70’s-80’s and 90’s

• Adventuring into the 80’s-90’s

• We’re settling into the 2000’s.

• We became wiser in the 2010’s.

• And we are going strong into 2024 and beyond.

• Turns out we went through EIGHT different decades, two different centuries and two different millennials.

• We have gone from phones with an operator for long-distance calls, pay booths, to video calls worldwide.

• We have gone from slides to YouTube, vinyl to online music, handwritten letters to emails and WhatsApp, live sports games on the radio, black and white TV, Color TV to HD 3D TV.

• We went from the video store and now we are watching Netflix.

• We have known the first computers, punch cards, disks and now we have gigabytes and megabytes on our smartphones.

• We wore shorts all through childhood, then trousers, pant suits or miniskirts, oxfords, Clarks, jumpsuits and blue jeans.

• We avoided childhood paralysis, meningitis, polio, tuberculosis, swine flu and COVID-19.

• We have done roller skating, roller blading, tricycle, bicycle, moped, gas or diesel and now we drive hybrids or electric.

• We played with horses, checkers, marbles, monopoly and now there is candy crush on our smartphones, and we read – a lot.

• Our classmate’s religion was not a subject.

• We used to drink tap water and lemonade in glass bottles, and the vegetables on our plate were always fresh.  Today we have our meals delivered.

• Yes, we have been through a lot.

• They might describe us ex-annuals----people who were born in the 50’s world who had an analog childhood and a digital adulthood.

• We should also add the Biological Revolution that we have witnessed.   In 1960 biology was very descriptive.   We have witnessed Molecular Biology:  The molecules of life have been discovered:  DNA, RNA etc.  When you see everything that has come from it:  gene therapy, gene fingerprints, and others, the progress is considerable.

• We have kind of “seen it all”!

• Our generation has literally lived and witnessed more than any other in every dimension of life. 

• This is our generation that has literally adapted to “CHANGE”.

• A big congratulations to all the members of a very special generation, which will be UNIQUE.