Patrick Jay Sullivan's Blog

I was just listening to Me and Mrs. Jones. There's an old song. I remember it because I was young and becoming aware of my sexual side. There was some movie about a woman having an affair with a young man and the theme song was "The Summer Wind" and I believe Frank Sinatra sang it. Of course, in the sixties, the whole sexual revolution was just starting up. Believe me when I say we missed out on that in the Dakotas. I went to a big high school and most of us graduated as virgins. I do remember being a bit ashamed of that but it wasn't like I knew how to just go out and get that one taken care of or anything. I laugh thinking back on it now. High school is a tough time for kids. Still, I am glad I grew up when I did. I think these kids now days have a lot more pressures and are sexually active very young. This brings with it the risk of many STD's and a lot of other problems. I guess my being so innocent was not such a terrible thing after all. But kids today don't just have it tough for those reasons. They have inheirited a mess as far as the world and the planet go. How would you like to be starting college in this economy? What about those graduating? When I finished up jobs were so tough to get. I had to work as a custodian for a year or so and moonlight as a waiter at night. It was hard. Now, I don't know what kind of jobs are out there. I couldn't even get a summer job at WalMart this summer. That is a scary thing. But I suppose that youthful optimism and the work ethic they have will help to get them through. I am hoping and praying that they will have a simliar experience to what my generation had. I am hoping that things bounce back and that life will be good for all of us again. I don't pretend to know a lot about the generation in high school now or the ones coming up. I spend most of my time just trying to live my life and do what I need to do. I enjoy the day to day stuff. I enjoy the summer off and time to just be me. I hate being on a tight budget but it must be so if I am to survive. In the end, that is what it is all about. We must survive and do well. We must build our own happiness. I don't know why I am thinking about the past this Memorial Day weekend, but I am. I am thinking about parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles even a sister who went before me. I am remembering them all.