Growing Up Then, Living Now: A Holiday Season of Gratitude

Holiday Gratitude — A Midwestern Reflection

Follow, subscribe

Time races by, and here we are again with the holiday season rolling in.

As I often do, I find myself pausing to reflect — not just on the year behind me, but on the decades, events, and people that shaped who I am.

For those of us who grew up in the Midwest in the late ’70s and throughout the ’80s, this time of year stirs things that hit deep. The world we knew then looks very different today.

Very different indeed.

And yet, with all the noise and motion of modern life, one feeling never seems to fade: gratitude.

If you grew up then — and you’re reading this now — you already know this season invites us to appreciate the journey, the growth, and the blessings time has laid along the way.

Remembering the Midwest of the Late ’70s and ’80s

Growing up in that era meant living in a world without smartphones, Wi-Fi, or endless notifications.

Life moved at a decidedly human pace.

Summers meant being outside until the streetlights came on, bikes piled on someone’s lawn like a makeshift parking lot.

Fall brought school, fire pits, crisp evenings, and the quiet build-up toward the holidays.

Winter meant snow boots, travel plans, family gatherings, and thumbing through the gift bibles — Sears, Wards, Penney’s — until the pages curled.

Meals were eaten around the table.

Saturday mornings belonged to cartoons and cereal.

And yes, we kids bounced between each other’s houses like neighbors in a small migration pattern.

I had friends who were at my house so often they called my mother “Mom.” It wasn’t strange. It was normal.

We remember cassette tapes, Walkman's, push-button phones, arcades, and televisions that weighed more than small farm animals.

The world felt smaller — but rich with moments that shaped our values and our sense of belonging.

Oh, How the World Has Changed

Fast forward to now, and everything hums at a different frequency.

Technology connects us instantly to anyone, anywhere — and yet, somehow, many people feel more isolated than ever.

The neighborhoods we once ruled from sunup to sundown have changed, and the traditions we grew up with have shifted or disappeared entirely.

The kids who once played outside until dark are now inside, connected digitally instead of across the backyard.

We’ve become the parents and grandparents — the storytellers, the steady hands guiding younger generations through a world that’s both familiar and foreign.

The lessons from our childhood still matter, but we’re navigating things our own parents never had to imagine.

Change comes whether we’re ready or not.

And somehow, we adapt.

Finding Gratitude in the Life We’re Living Now

With time, our roles change — and so does the depth of what we’re grateful for.

Being a parent or grandparent gives us a perspective nothing else can.

Watching little ones grow, hearing their wonder, seeing the world again through their eyes — it reminds us how lucky we are to still be here, shaping stories that began decades ago.

And for those of us fortunate enough to still have our parents around, there’s a whole different level of gratitude wrapped into every minute we get to spend with them.

Gratitude grows when we recognize what we have today that previous generations didn’t: better access to healthcare, education, opportunity, and technology that — when used well — can improve lives instead of complicating them.

The challenges are different now.

But so are the tools.

So are the support systems.

I often think about how to leverage this gratitude and pass it on.

Practical Ways to Build Gratitude This Season

Share Stories. Listen to the older members of your family. Tell the younger ones what life was like — the good, the funny, the strange.

Stories tie generations together.

Create New Traditions. Honor the old ones, but don’t be afraid to build new ones that fit the family you have today.

Practice Mindfulness. A few quiet moments each day can change the entire tone of your week.

Give Back. Offering a little help — time, money, or encouragement — expands gratitude in all directions.

Reconnect with Nature. A walk, a quiet porch moment, watching snow fall — they ground us in the present.

The Power of Reflection and Connection

Looking back on the decades that shaped us, change is a constant.

But the core things — family, love, gratitude — hold firm.

This holiday season, gratitude means more than money, more than flashy gifts, more than simply saying thank you.

It means recognizing the richness of our lives, the lessons learned, the trials survived, and the hope we carry forward.

It means honoring the past…and welcoming the future with open hands.

I wrote this thinking how truly blessed I am!

Buy Glen a coffee or a beer

If this resonated with you, hit follow and sign up so you’ll get the next post.

Give one of these a read next!

Connections Beyond Borders, My life of Movement and Momentum!

Our Aging Parents, the Unwinnable Battle with Time.

When the Christmas Gift List Become

Consider buying a coffee to help support the site. And reach out if you want help with resumes, research, or sharpening your interview skills, or just to touch base!