Take a moment to consider that if you were born in 1901 (around the time of the death of Queen Victoria). World War I would start when you’re 14 years old and won’t end until you’re 17 years old, with a death toll of 22 million.

A short while later, the Spanish Flu, a global pandemic, strikes and kills 50 million people. You have been alive for 19 years.

You endure the global economic crisis that resulted from the New York Stock Exchange disaster, which caused inflation, unemployment, and starvation, at the age of 28.

You are 33 years old when Nazism takes hold.

World War II begins when you’re 38 and concludes when you’re 44, with 60 million people killed.

The Korean War starts when you are 51 years old.

The Vietnam War begins when you’re 63 and concludes when you’re 74.

For instance, a person born in the 1980’s might believe that their grandparents have no concept how terrible life is, not realizing that they have lived through numerous wars and natural disasters.

Our current global pandemic has been going on for almost two years. We’re terrified and worn out. We lost friends and family members, and we are afraid. There is yet more mutations, XBB.1.5, BQ.1.1, XBB.1.5, and BQ.1.

Even worse circumstances existed in the past, but humanity managed to adapt and live.

Remember, 1995 saw the realease of the movie Toy Story. This movie was released closer in time to the moon landings (26 years after), than to where we are now (28+ years).

I assure you that brighter days are ahead, and I can say this because in a couple of generations time, someone will write a post akin to this, but dated 60 years in the future.

I went from four living grandparents to just one in a very short space of time. If you are lucky enough to still have yours, make sure you tell them you love them. One of my great-grandfathers was born in 1899 and lived until 99 years old. He was just shy of seeing two turns of the century and one turn of the millennium. They all had it hard. So did our parents.

From the absolute opposite perspective – I love seeing my grand-kids.