The Greatest Generation

I have a child’s vague memory of the 1930s Great Depression and some of the sacrifices made during the years leading up to and during WWII. Like the time mom put a strange, white, greasy substance on the table called oleomargarine. Butter had become unavailable as had sugar, and mom made fewer cakes and pies. Gas and oil and tires were equally unavailable, so Sunday drives ended. Rationing books were the new norm. And sometimes my brother Jack forgot to black-out the windows at night.

Those who lived through the Depression years were hesitant to enter into the European conflict, in large part because Europe was too far from our shores. After entering the war, however, a new sense of national pride was born. There grew a willingness to sacrifice, to acknowledge a commitment to serve the country in unity and neighbors drew strength from one another. This earned those who lived during those times the title, “The Greatest Generation.”

Today we are in the throes of a pandemic, a tiny enemy invisible to the naked eye causing illness and death daily by the thousands. New numbers of pandemic victims are spiking once again due to relaxed behavior about holiday gatherings. Vaccines are promised, but it’s scary to close the doors of a business; sad and lonely to isolate from family and friends; disheartening to line up for food donations. But we can’t lose sight of our common humanity and the common good that binds us. This will give us the strength to make our way through these troubling times. The Spirit of Life itself will continue to guide us as each need arises. Trust it. We can and will make it through our hardships together.