VISION KEEPER

And not a pawn to circumstance...

For the past few weeks, I’ve been responsible, at least partially, for organizing a celebration of American life in the 1940s. Phrases like “The Greatest Generation” and “Make do and mend” have been part of my daily vernacular. I’ve been listening to big band music at my desk and scouring local resale shops for the perfect vintage party dress.

To me, the 1940s always seemed glamorous. A time of the greatest movie stars. A time when couples danced together. Everyone wore hats. Yet, as my grandmother once explained, the war changed everything. They learned to go without and save and reuse everything. They were recycling and repurposing before those terms were ever coined and worn like badges of honor, as we do today.

LOVE, Love this exhibition!

This process of organizing an exhibition, bookended by two parties, has reminded me of the warning—and I’m paraphrasing here—the failure to remember history is a certainty that it will be repeated. This sentiment (according to Google and assisted by AI) is attributed to philosopher George Santayana, who in his 1905 book The Life of Reason wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” I don’t know why … there are so many opposite examples, such as, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” “Don’t put all your eggs into one basket,” and one of my favorites, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” I’m always amazed when things said over a hundred years ago continue to resonate today.

Even so, the word “condemned” sticks a little. Mr. Santayana obviously believed bad things that happened would be repeated if they weren’t remembered. Unfortunately, there are numerous examples that prove he was correct, Just turn on the TV!

From my empty nest point of view, however, his view is the opposite of my Empty Mess fears. I’ve been writing down my memories and encouraging everyone to do the same. I want to remember the good stuff in an attempt to repeat it, which is contrary to Mr. Santayana’s sentiment.

Repeating the family days, celebrations, and the small stuff of everyday life is exactly what I’ve been pining for, and what I was afraid I would forget. Don’t get me wrong. That doesn’t mean I’m not aware of the impact of historical forgetfulness on world outcomes, but my reality is that my life continues to go on, however irreverently, in the face of political unrest, war, and hunger.

My zoomed-out view is that those larger world problems exacerbate my empty nest feelings of being out of control. I am no longer in control of how my children feed themselves, spend their money, or wear their clothes. My children do not need my input as they go about their daily lives. I’m also fairly certain that I have no control over world issues. When I think to myself, “Can I do anything to fix politics? Will my wish for peace make it true?” The answer is probably not, and yes, of course I vote!

In the 1940s, life in America changed for everyone. My grandmother shared some of the little things she did that made a difference for her. Like mixing yellow food coloring into lard to make “butter” and sewing old clothes into new ones and bedsheets into curtains. I didn’t realize it when she told me those stories, but I’m sure she was responding to my complaining or pleading to go shopping. I believe that those seemingly little things gave her comfort and purpose at a time when life felt out of control.

One thing I can control, and with Grandma as my example, I don’t have to be a pawn to my circumstances—I can be the vision keeper.