Open Letter to My OG Mamas: The "Not So Silent" Generation

 Aloha Readers,

Today, I dedicate this bonus blog to my women network aged over 80 years old.

First, wow, kudos to you ladies for surviving and kickin’ it since 1945! While you may giggle at my lingo, as a woman born in 1982, which was at the very beginning of the millennial decade and at the end of Gen X, I have both a mixed & wide taste in music and language. I spent 25 years growing up on the East Coast, 18 years living on the West Coast and now find myself surviving and rebuilding myself in the rustic mid-west.

My birth year was a transitional year, as yours was (marking the end of the silent decade.) Your generation understands me more than many men by this point, on many deep levels, especially as women. I am well-versed in many subject areas, as you are, and over the past year, I found myself sticking up for not only your generation, but all girls and women, no matter their year born. Despite meeting many gentlemen on my journey, I've come to the unfortunate truth… men often view us as animals and/or possessions, listening (but not always acting in accordance to what they're saying) and more! That's the simple truth. May the world change for the sake of your granddaughters. 

In order to accomplish a safe world for our girls and women, it'll require a radical transformation of policies. I've been working hard at doing my part, but utterly exhausted at this point. Let me also say, even it's though not my fault in anyway whatsoever, I'm sorry how you were treated, ignored and mislabeled with highly-stigmatized mental health conditions. Many of you were over-medicated and sent away to various institutions, when in fact a lifestyle change, deep respect and educated, self-less guidance from your partner would have positively changed not only your path, but those of your offspring.

Many of you observed decades of toxic male behavior under this awful, outdated patriarchal system which has been supported worldwide for quite some time. One of my PSAs made over the past year was: "women deserve to make MORE than men". Don't you think it's about time we get paid more than men, as a gender... and say f'equality in pay at this point!? Let's OVER flip the switch. Please feel free to comment below your thoughts/any contributions that you'd like to share with the world.

Whether spoken aloud or not, I know you see me and support me. Thank you for your smiles, love and kind words.

Despite the nearly 4 decades of age differential, I deeply recognize the strength you carry and share the same frustrations you have. We are in this together. Let's not be silent anymore.

May you have a lovely Sunday, ladies.

With kindred spirited love & understanding,

Heidi