Who Are These People and Why Are They Calling Me 'Mom'?
K Cochran
They do look familiar:
Every so often a small group of young people show up at my house. Seems to be cyclical, usually on or near a national holiday. Sometimes their visits fall on a weekend.
They are a good-looking, intelligent group - very impressive. We have lively conversations, sometimes about sports, politics, religion, on occasion we even discuss sex. We tell jokes and share our life's experiences with one another.
A lot of the time I agree with their points of view. But sometimes I take offense at the ideas they express that are typical of their generation, but at odds with mine. And, in spite of my better efforts, they have made some inroads into my way of thinking on more than one subject. For instance, I was raised on traditional religion's stance on homosexuality. Not that the subject came up all that often. I was well into my twenties before I became aware people with such proclivities existed, but I didn't know much beyond that basic fact. These young people who show up at my house from time to time have told me they actually have friends who are gay (the term they most frequently use.) They argue, especially a person with religious leanings, shouldn't treat these folks any differently than they would treat anyone else. They ask, isn't that the essence of religion anyway - accepting people without judgement? And if you look back into the history of mankind, people with these sexual preferences have always been a part of any culture you uncover. The state can even be found in the animal kingdom. I have to admit, they make a good point.
This group of youngsters have caused me to rethink such issues as voting for one particular party over another simply because of loyalty to a party. They tend to look beyond the label and ask questions of candidates, like how do your policies affect our planet? How do your policies impact the weak and the poor in our country? How will your policies change the lives of generations who come after us, rather than just making us - or some of us - richer or stronger right now? They aren't just drawn to a candidate because of their race, religion or sex. In other words, their first requirement is not that the candidate look just like them. Interesting.
A Different World View
They also don't seem to accept the status quo. Social Security? No, they aren't relying on it. They are assuming they will be responsible for their own retirement and are doing a better job of planning for it than my generation did when we were first starting out. America's position in the world as a super power? They have known the realities of being a nation at war ever since middle school. They have seen firsthand what leaping before you look can do - it has been their classmates and friends who have done the fighting and dying. Health care and taxes? They will tell you anyone can see there has to be a better way for a country as advanced as America to enact a system of doing both. I really get the sense their generation is just waiting for some of my generation's dinosaurs to die off so they can make some headway in both these basic areas. Where sixty-year-olds see problems with no solutions, thirty-year-olds seem to see solutions, if we only have the will to put them in place.
I'm impressed these young people still reveal so much hope and determination in light of the world situation in which they have come to adulthood. War, unemployment, polarized social classes, redefining of "the American Dream," and the first generation that may well not be left better off than the generation that preceded them. When I was their age I thought anything was possible. They seem to have a practical sense of what is possible and what is not.
Every so often one of them will open their mouth, and I'll hear my own voice come out. They will repeat old sayings or defend a position I hold. When that happens, I smile and tell them they were raised right. That's when I invariably get a hug and the response, "Yeah we were, Mom."
I Like the Rollercoaster Too!
Comments
Kathleen Cochran (author) from Atlanta, Georgia on April 23, 2021:
About to enjoy a rare occasion these days: a visit from all five of my grown children. Priceless!
Kathleen Cochran (author) from Atlanta, Georgia on May 13, 2018:
Another year. More changes. Thanks, Kids!
Kathleen Cochran (author) from Atlanta, Georgia on May 09, 2017:
Best job in the world. Happy Mother's Day!
Kathleen Cochran (author) from Atlanta, Georgia on January 01, 2017:
They were here again today! JOY!
Kathleen Cochran (author) from Atlanta, Georgia on December 26, 2016:
It happened again this Christmas, and to tell the truth, it's the best part of the holidays!
Kathleen Odenthal from Bridgewater on May 07, 2014:
My hubby calls him NPH! Sum Thin, that is really funny! My other two cats are Charlie and Gonzo (Hunter S Thompson is my favorite author) but they were originally named Cash and Hot Rod, I wasn't feelin those names. lol
Kathleen Cochran (author) from Atlanta, Georgia on May 07, 2014:
I can see a cat called NPH! I had a cat once named Sum Thin because a friend insisted I had to name him something!
Kathleen Odenthal from Bridgewater on May 07, 2014:
I always call them my kids, they are quite a handful! I adopted two of them and the other one just strolled into our house one day and my husband told me I could keep him! (he had previously cut me off at two cats, but neil patrick harris (yes, that is my cats name) was just so cute we had to keep him!
Kathleen Cochran (author) from Atlanta, Georgia on May 07, 2014:
Sure, why not?!
Kathleen Odenthal from Bridgewater on May 07, 2014:
i have three kitties, do they count? :)
Kathleen Cochran (author) from Atlanta, Georgia on May 07, 2014:
Other Kathleen: Do you have kids?
Kathleen Odenthal from Bridgewater on May 06, 2014:
i love this hub, and the title is hilarious!
Kathleen Cochran (author) from Atlanta, Georgia on December 11, 2013:
Not sure I did a great job, but they are great people. I'll let you in on a secret nobody tells you when your kids are small, but at some point it starts with them.
Jennifer from New Jersey on December 11, 2013:
I certainly hope I look at my own children in 10 or so years and think this! Blessings to you and the great job you did! Wonderful read!
Kathleen Cochran (author) from Atlanta, Georgia on December 26, 2012:
tillsontitan: I can always count on you to be encouraging. Thanks for the comments and I hope your Christmas was merry!
Mary Craig from New York on December 26, 2012:
I have to differ with you...I think your kids are the way they are because of yo!,, Because of the things you did say and the things you didn't say...because of the things you did do and because of the things you didn't do....grat kids great hub,
Voted up, useful, and interesting.
Kathleen Cochran (author) from Atlanta, Georgia on December 26, 2012:
All you can do is try to pray God will protect them from your failings. Welcome to my hubs, Your Cousins. Hope your Christmas was merry!
Your Cousins from Atlanta, GA on December 26, 2012:
Like you, I am proud of the people that my kids have become. It seems that they took the best parts of us and threw the rest away. We didn't always do and say the right things, but we tried to be good role models.
Kathleen Cochran (author) from Atlanta, Georgia on May 11, 2012:
Recycled for these amazing people in honor of Mothers Day.
Kathleen Cochran (author) from Atlanta, Georgia on February 22, 2012:
Oh! Thanks! It's nice when they are all grown up and you can enjoy them as adults.
David from Idaho on February 22, 2012:
I can certainly relate with our two kids. It seems like their intelligence and overall understanding of things grows with each passing day.
As a parent we want our kids to be positive contributors to society when they become adults; it sounds like there will be some good ones after all.
Kathleen Cochran (author) from Atlanta, Georgia on January 31, 2012:
Welcome iguidenatwork and thanks for commenting!
iguidenetwork from Austin, TX on January 30, 2012:
Fantastic hub...revealing the thinking of the two generations...
Kathleen Cochran (author) from Atlanta, Georgia on January 23, 2012:
My next book! Wow! Thanks!
Marcy Goodfleisch from Planet Earth on January 23, 2012:
So funny, and so true! I love the title you gave this hub; I think you should use it for your next book!
Kathleen Cochran (author) from Atlanta, Georgia on January 18, 2012:
billybuc, kelleyward and phdast7: Welcome and thanks for the feedback. I suspect my children are the adults that they are more inspite of me than because of me. I just enjoy the time I get with them these days.
Theresa Ast from Atlanta, Georgia on January 17, 2012:
A great Hub. A tribute to both you and your children.
kelleyward on January 17, 2012:
Very entertaining read! Sounds like you enjoy parenting. Thanks for the hub!
Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on January 17, 2012:
Yep...right on! As a person who was a single parent for fourteen years and who constantly questioned whether or not I was doing the right thing, I am enthralled by my son now and the fine man he turned out to be. Most of us parent using the "seat of the pants" method and it is amazing that we usually do a great job. Thanks for your hub!
MonetteforJack from Tuckerton, NJ on January 17, 2012:
Wow. I hope and pray that the young gen who calls you Mom outnumbers the young gen in my neighborhood who rely on freebies, government aids, and misuse the rights of freedoms.
Kathleen Cochran (author) from Atlanta, Georgia on January 16, 2012:
Thanks Frog. See you have a new one I need to take a look at! Keep 'em comin'!
The Frog Prince from Arlington, TX on January 16, 2012:
It's amazing how sometimes when I get ready to open myu mouth I know my Mother is about to come out. I reckon that is a cycle in life.
Great Hub Kath.
The Frog
Kathleen Cochran (author) from Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 2012:
greatparenting: Coming from a hubber with a name like yours, I'll take these comments as high praise! Thanks for the read and the feedback. I'm going looking for your hubs!
greatparenting from philadelphia, pa and corolla, nc on January 15, 2012:
Your children (or at least these people who call you Mom) sound very smart and compassionate. Good job, Mom.(or whomever raised them)
