Part One: REFLECTIONS FOR THE YOUNG AND THE OLDER

Today, one of my granddaughters reaches one of her early life milestones, the age of 10 innocent and happy years, lived in the comforting haven of a loving home.

All the girls in the family, from grandma to the three little ones, plus her closest friends, are celebrating this morning with an orphanage children, giving a little of the lot of love, care and protection our omnipotent, and omnipresent, God has lavished upon us all, throughout all our lives.

Yesterday afternoon, as a dutiful grandfather, I enjoyed up to the hilt of my emotions, her pre-day celebration in the company of 5 of her closest little young friends.

I videotaped them dancing, laughing, prancing around, joking, running all over the gardens of the place we live in, and all of this made me recall some thoughts, that I shared during a blissful time, spent in the company of another one of my granddaughters, less than two years ago.

These thoughts came into existence while sharing my understanding about life, while I was conversing with my third grandchild, Andrea, who had to write an essay on this subject, last year, almost at the completion of her senior High School.

It did also happen she just had arrived to her seventeen year of blissful living, and was dreaming with following her father, my oldest son, steps, in college.

She got an “A” grade, and was rightfully elated, and in the following months it was so delightful to see how without any spectacular outward symptom she became the wonderfully poised gal, who is now, outstandingly getting excellent grades in her “Industrial Engineering” college courses.

With an expanding love for her classmates and friends, who are fond of getting together at my sons home, to study and rejoice as the exuberant teenagers they are, I now want to extend these thoughts to all those, young or older, who, by chance, read them.

Because we want the best of all, the real best of all, not the masquerades and the illusions and faked contraptions of this accelerated world where you, the younger ones than us, live and will have to live.

As one of my dearest friends shared with me, just a few days ago, quote, “I am happy that you find enjoyment in study, writing, and applying the lessons of life to thoughts on paper.

It will be a wonderful legacy for you to leave to your children and grandchildren. We have to pass it on...be a mentor to the generations that succeed us.

We are blessed to know the joys that only older warriors know...those who have earned their ribbons and their rank, not on the parade field but in the trenches of life, unquote.


So, and getting to the point and from the core of my feelings that spread out as a spring from the pond of my experiences, enjoy the thoughts that I offer you now.

Reflections for the teenagers and young adults,

who are just starting life in these tumultuous days!

An elderly woman asked some youngsters

why they were so electrified by the deeds of people

who would never know they existed,

and why they were so anxious to get,

at any cost,

the newest trinkets and gadgets in the market.

This should made us, all, wonder that…

as strong as we could be or think we are we cannot evade,

or run away, from the storms in our lives!

The disappointments, the losses, or to say it simply,

our non reciprocated expectations,

are the things that, independently from our age,

state of mind, or social standing,

make us feel at times, as defenseless oldsters,

or little ones, in need of caring for, and protection.

And this is not always an easy thing to admit,

because of our need to have, and keep alive,

our own identity,

thus, assuring our authenticity and independency.

In these my olden days, I do want to share with you,

what my understanding Is, about these concepts,

and what I would desire for you,

to have a meaningful, and transcending Life,

despite all adverse circumstances.

To you all, who deal with an uncertain future,

I would like to remind you,

so these thoughts become our permanent companions

and parameters throughout your whole lives,

and what you, today, so happily enjoy

as your rightful, and venturesome, time in life,

turn into the firm and everlasting foundations and ambience,

where the concepts turn themselves

into, solidly based, realities in your lives.

The authentic!

The righteous and truthful!

The fundamental!

By their own nature are intimately, and indissolubly,

linked with the self assurance and reliance

in relation to you.

If you are sure about what you really are,

and what you want to be,

undoubtedly you are authentic!

But, if by any chance, a personal insecurity

is present in your life…

it is possible that you cannot overcome,

or even, maybe will try to cover up

through the easy way of posturing as you are not,

because you visualize yourself otherwise, very deep inside.

And in these circumstances is where

it is, so easy, to confuse

authenticity with eccentricity or superficiality.

The real problem is not to be emotive

or loving the good things of life,

such as clothing, music, socializing,

or admiring the fads or fashion figures of this world.

The problem is the “conscious or unconscious” imitation.

The problem is to subordinate yourself to the group´s pressures,

or to the fashions´ whims.

The problem is to, constantly desire to have

more than what you already have,

just because someone else has more than you.

Enjoy life!

But within your own and authentic identity parameters!

Your potential!

Your abilities!

Your perseverance!

And your enthusiasm,

without allowing yourself to be carried away

by the collective pressure

for posturing and behaving as the rest of the gang!

Be, always, as you are in within yourself!

At home!

Among your relatives, and those who love you,

as if you were their own,

because they will be, at any time,

and in every circumstance, your refuge and comfort

along the walking paths of life!

From your walking the paths of life beginnings,

until your sundown, sedately,

dips itself,

at the far limits of your horizons!