Generations

I feel more hopeful and positive thinking about "Generations" than I did when contemplating "irreversibility". Generations implies hope for the future.

My husband and I spent this morning in a meeting, writing our wills. Weird. Even though I still feel young, there comes a time when you have to think about passing the torch to the next generation.

I thought about what the world might look like for my sons in the next 5 years, 10 years, 50 years. What will the cost of living be? Will they be paying high prices for water? Fresh air? Will they need to relocate to find a more hospitable climate? Or will their generation be living much simpler lives with a smaller carbon footprint?

Ironically, writing a will has pushed me to be more hopeful about the future. Creating a plan assumes I will have something of value to leave to them. I'm also assuming that money and property will still be worth something. I'm assuming the United States will still function as a Democracy. And I'm hoping I've raised my kids to do what is right with whatever resources they have.

Thinking about the whole next generation of human beings and planet Earth.... that's overwhelming. It's paralyzing. Better to think a little smaller and do something tangible. I can only do what is in my power as an individual, as a parent and as a citizen. And then hope for the best.