The silent generation

Mark McCrindle observes that every generation is distinct in characteristics. The Millienium or Generation Z is defined by three factors: age and life state (ontological factors), times and technology (sociological factors) and events and experiences (historical factors).

Several common traits of Generation Z include:

• Those born between 1992 and 2011


• Two income earning parents and smaller families


• Growing up in a world that is all about connecting through technology


• Friendship are quantifiable by Facebook and they search for answers through Google


• Smarter, tech savier and great multi-taskers


• More self directed and indiviualistic


• Demand that they are taken seriously

This is the generation that is over-stimulated, over-exposed and over-informed by technology. If Gen Z wants to know anything about spirituality, they can do so with a click. Gen Z is also called the new silent generation. Most of their conversations take place through Smses and social network portals. We do not hear their voice yet they are texting to be heard. We can heard their uncensored views an raw emotions on Facebook, Twitter and personal blogs. They can endorse opinions with a simple "Like" button on Facebook and bring either scrutiny or praise at incredible speed.

Gen Z can have 500-2000 friends on Facebook but severely lack the interpersonal skills necessary for close friendships. They are highly individualistic, self-directe and opinionated. Interestly, Gen Z are parented by Gen X who load them with many ex-cirriculums and the introduction of gadgets at a young age conditioned them to be great mutli-taskers capable of coping with a high volume of tasks. Gen Z are revoluntionaries who dream about doing somehing to change their world. However, they do not necessarily know what something is or where to start.

It is not easy to understand this generation and it is very challenging to build bridges to connect with them in the real world.

Missing my grandma

Sometimes, when one person is missing, the whole world seems depopulated. It seems like only yesteryear when my grandma passed away. She suffered an infarct, then deteriorated and lost her mind. I saw her suffering and much as I loved for her to be around, I preferred to let her go. I did not grieve then, I saw it as a relief for her pain.

Now more than a decade later, I still miss her very much. I miss her more than anything in this world. There were nights when tears rolled down my cheek and I called out softly to her. She was a very special lady. She was my pillar of strength. She was my sunshine and beacon of light. She had a heart full of love... gentle wisdom in her advice she would give, guiding me in the way I should live. She gave me so much love, so openly, so freely and so overwhelmingly.

People said time will ease the pain. I hope so too but it goes so slowly. Who could ever imagine my life has change so much since she left. Many painful things have happened to me and if only grandma is still around, she will definitely make it better for me. There is such an emptiness that I never knew before and a loneliness that does not go away. Now I grieve for my grandma like never before. Who would know I still miss her so so much. Her memory will embrace my heart and keep me company till we meet again one day. I love my grandma.