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Do any of us really know what is going to happen? There are more questions than answers in our lives at present. Will I keep my job? Will I have enough money to live on and for how long if I lose that job? What about mortgage and credit card payments? Will my investments completely bottom out and if they do can I live on a reduced income and pension? What happens if our adult children need to move back home and bring their spouses and children with them? At no time in recent history can the Baby Boomers remember anything like the present day world economic crisis. Years ago, I read the book and attended the lecture ‘Boom Bust Echo’ by author David Foot, an economics professor at the University of Toronto. If all had played out as expected, we as Boomers, would be enjoying an active, fulfilling existence secure in our comforts, including; frequent getaways, dinners with friends, relaxed athletic endeavours and cultural events. Instead, I watch in dismay as more and more of our contemporaries are caught between aging parents, jobless/homeless children and a shrinking investment portfolio. Are we paying now for a somewhat carefree ride in the past? Everybody is tired, stressed and worried about the future. Maybe more Shakespeare and a little less 'keeping up with the Joneses' should have been emphasized; specifically the line from Hamlet when Polonius advises his France-bound son “Neither a borrower nor a lender be, for loan often loses both itself and friend…”.You can stop reading if you were expecting me at this point to provide insight or a miraculous cure for our present financial mess… that’s not happening! What we need is distraction beyond the expected movies and TV. Games! Games! Games! Let us try to periodically put unhappy thoughts on hold and indulge in games that do not require batteries, computers or any form of hand-held device. Card games are always popular but the rising star of the moment is good old Scrabble. Last week I even found myself playing that all time favourite of young and old, Bingo. In fact, yours truly won four times despite the fact I had to turn my card in after each game. Two people seated in front of me decided that I was lucky, shook my hand and proceeded to win! It was a ‘Good Day’-I wish the same for you.
