OK...I admit it...This Baby Boomer Diva is Computer Illiterate

I never thought I would ever go more than a few hours without being on my computer. It has become an addiction over the past year. I would rather be on the computer than clean my house. But on Monday morning, I got a major reality check when the machine crashed on me and kicked out all of the email contact data I had worked so hard to build. Plus, I was unable to do any of my normal networking. What's worst is I didn't (and still don't) have a clue as to how to fix the problem.

This frustrating situation got me to thinking about my life. What has happened to my life that I can't seem to live without a computer? It wasn't that long ago that I didn't even want to be bothered with the damn thing.

This frustrating situation also got me to thinking about how much more important it is to remain positive and focused when negativity and disasterous circumstances occur around you. The forces of negativity can be very powerful if you let it and it will seep into your own spirit and change your positive energy before you know it.

I must go back to the drawing board and re-examine my priorities.

A Baby Boomer's Look at Death

I was driving past a cemetary the other day and observed a graveside service. I assumed the person who died was old because all of the people paying their last respects were old. But what struck me even more so was the fact that there were so few people there. Was it because the deceased wasn't liked very much or maybe it was because the majority of his or her friends were already dead?

It got me to thinking. We spend a whole lifetime building and cultivating relationships but the longer we live, the fewer friends we end up having in the end. It's a morbid thought for a baby boomer diva who, at this moment, is so full of life.

But we, as baby boomers, must come to terms with the fact that at some point all of is will also travel down that road to final rest. Maybe it's time to make some new "younger" friends.

Beverly and the Baby Boomer Usherettes

I'm a member of the Women's Usher Board at my church. I joined the group because I wanted to carry on a tradition my father started. He was a member of the Usher Board at the church I was raised in and this was my way of carrying on that tradition and being of service to God.

To be perfectly honest, I don't feel very connected to the majority of the group. I actually feel like an outcast and often question why I don't just quit. Maybe because I'm relatively new and the majority of them seem to have known each other for years and have deep ties. But on this particular Saturday, I must admit I did have fun. I discovered through this group that there really are just six degrees of separation between us. I was surprised to learn that some of my fellow usherettes and I were connected through other people I've known a lot longer than them. I also learned some of us shared things in common like bowling---an activity I used to participate in regularly some years ago. I discovered I was in the company of teachers, researchers, HR Specialists, retirees, police officers and fellow baby boomer divas who, despite, all of our other differences, all have a true love for God and can share a good laugh. And yes, some of us can relate to hot flashes and menopause.

So the next time we all usher together at church, I'll be looking at them in a different light and I'm hopeful they'll see something different in me as well.