<I realize too that I must now consider myself as part of another, out-of-date, senior generation so vastly different from the current crop of youngsters.>
Hi Leon, I wondered about your statement. Its now holiday season again and I thought a bit before writing this comment. I cherished your pics from a few of my Thanksgiving get-togethers that I experienced with the part of my family that emigrated to the USA, while studying there ; They had picked that tradition which is not shared in my own family here.
There are times when younger generations make simple mistakes. Those that have older memories have the duty to pass on those "older" ways. Eventually, when we are gone someone will remember those reminders of a calmer way of living. It may be even a great grandchild who will find it among papers of his never met greatgrandpa. Allthough nothing will stop human evolution, every present action is not always in the right direction. Sometimes accepted fashionable modes turn into very self destructive behavior. Eventually modes shift back into more humanly balanced ways. Internet has provided unexpected source of world wide interdependence. That has come to stay. All of us have to learn how to adjust to it. So denying technology is down right short sighted, however relating to it requires a calm spirit and wisdom that you can provide , that I sense thru your blog...That younger crop requires it!.

hampartsum said:.....There are times when younger generations make simple mistakes. Those that have older memories have the duty to pass on those "older" ways. Eventually, when we are gone someone will remember those reminders of a calmer way of living. It may be even a great grandchild who will find it among papers of his never met greatgrandpa. Allthough nothing will stop human evolution, every present action is not always in the right direction. Sometimes accepted fashionable modes turn into very self destructive behavior. Eventually modes shift back into more humanly balanced ways. Internet has provided unexpected source of world wide interdependence. That has come to stay. All of us have to learn how to adjust to it. So denying technology is down right short sighted, however relating to it requires a calm spirit and wisdom that you can provide , that I sense thru your blog...That younger crop requires it!.

Hello Arturo, Thanks for reading my post and your comments quoted above. We cannot seem to change human behavior, but we can do many things to teach another, younger generation. I hate to see self destruction in any form, and these 'fashionable modes' sometimes promote ill-favored lifestyles in young people; not to mention rude, disruptive attitudes. I am of the opinion that we of the 'senior class' can and must 1.) Set a good example, 2.) Show kindness & courtesy, 3.) Follow what is good and right; and most of all 4.) show compassion & generosity! (to all people) These are some of the things that come to mind as I read your comments this morning (and as I think ahead). I suppose these thoughts reflect my own childhood memories & upbringing from what seems like a more simpler time in history. Now that the most cherished Holiday of Christmas fast approaches it is even more important to set a good example for the younger generation. The best gifts one can give are not always wrapped in bright papers and ribbons, but rather care and compassion which comes from the heart!

Again, thanks for reading, and may you enjoy a wonderful Christmas season along with your family and friends! It is my favorite of all holidays. Merry Christmas to you & family!

(P.S. I agree; technology has indeed shrunk the world and given us all a better understanding and much improved communications as long as we use it to improve ourselves and others too.)

Yes Leon, first of all I pray that your upcoming Christmas is full of family joy. I'm intimately and privately a devout Christian. I definitely believe in your 4 points. Kindness and outward gentleness actually reflects a sturdy spirit that firmly puts its stakes on goodness and righteousness. I learnt that in my childhood days from my beloved and far too long ago gone grandma. Just playing next to her, while she was sewing and rocking her chair, softly humming a traditional Armenian song...
Her blessings still surround me...and she still is a source of inspiration today. Very small sized ( barely 5"), but a huge heart...She had had an American education in a girls school in Adapazari, Turkey. Her younger brother emigrated to Boston.
She loved gardening and kept silkworms and beehives. She taught me how to wrap grapeleave dolmas and make specialty rose petal jelly. Little treasures that still are part of my very small ( but huge...) kingdom : my "pet" farm. She taught me how to watch at trees as how they tipped their uppermost twigs and thus understand the winds , telltale of good or fowl weather long before Internet, weather channel and the like. Like the rest of my granparents she came from an agrarian family and everyone was close to the land and its laws.
I pray for those millions that lead uprooted lives and meaningless pursuits to discover the wealth that God has hidden for everyone there, back in the land. Perhaps this Christmas some hear my prayers.