I challenge you Mr. Himwich to write about your view of my generation and how it is different than yours.

Okay, though I only understood some of what you wrote.  I am sure you in turn will only understand some of what I will say.  First, as you might guess, I don’t care at all about the labelling of generations or even acknowledging that there are generations.  I know of course that there is some usefulness in such generational thinking, especially for those who are trying to sell something.  I see all of us, young and old, trying to create for ourselves a meaningful life so that, as Thoreau said, we will not feel at the end that we have never really lived at all. Times and circumstances change, but the fundamental challenge of identity and meaning and value goes on. IF I were pressed to say what is different, it would be that everything is speeded up for young folks today, the choices more wide-ranging, without there being, however, any more experience than I had as a basis for making those choices.  I would slow things down and allow children and young adults time to enjoy and, at times, suffer what it is to be young.  Part of creating a meaningful life for yourself is not to use one stage as simply a steppingstone to the next.  That a person should die young is of course a tragedy, but if that life has been lived wholeheartedly within the span of time given, then it is complete.  None of us is guaranteed a certain number of years.