Unlike the past dozen or so years I've prepared it, this newsletter of the 40-plus volunteers with whom we served in Chile years ago seemed to reflect a revived sense of hope and optimism for the nation. I share the hope, but am a little weaker in optimism. Certainly Obama's calls for a "new era of responsibility" struck a chord for us, reflecting to some degree the values that drew us to volunteer in 1961. This president's words evoked memories of John F. Kennedy's challenge: "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." Regardless of political persuasion - and our group includes staunch Republicans and Democratic activists - the notes, letters and e-mails this season seemed upbeat, or at least hopeful, for the nation. "We have been politically conservative over the years," wrote Glen, retired from a successful woodworking business in Virginia. "However, we look forward to a new direction both at home and abroad."
Chile RPCV Evadna Bartlett writes: Just before President Barack Obama's inauguration, I finished compiling an annual newsletter for former Peace Corps volunteers who had been called to service by another young president
Former Peace Corps volunteers express optimism
Obama election brings hope, but concern remains that younger generation will have difficulty coping
by Evadna Bartlett
For the Daily Mail
Just before President Barack Obama's inauguration, I finished compiling an annual newsletter for former Peace Corps volunteers who had been called to service by another young president.
Unlike the past dozen or so years I've prepared it, this newsletter of the 40-plus volunteers with whom we served in Chile years ago seemed to reflect a revived sense of hope and optimism for the nation.
I share the hope, but am a little weaker in optimism.
Certainly Obama's calls for a "new era of responsibility" struck a chord for us, reflecting to some degree the values that drew us to volunteer in 1961.
This president's words evoked memories of John F. Kennedy's challenge: "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
Regardless of political persuasion - and our group includes staunch Republicans and Democratic activists - the notes, letters and e-mails this season seemed upbeat, or at least hopeful, for the nation.
"We have been politically conservative over the years," wrote Glen, retired from a successful woodworking business in Virginia. "However, we look forward to a new direction both at home and abroad."
Retired lawyer and Democratic activist Mary Ellen wrote from the Washington, D.C., area, "I have been greatly energized by the hope for a new type of a presidency with a greater insight to the many cultures of our world."
California almond orchardist Jim ended his e-mail, "The highlight for the year for me was the election and the optimism I feel in spite of this troubled time."
Most of us, now in our late 60s and early 70s, still find ways to serve our communities -coaching English as a second language, conducting sight screening of elementary children and directing a national organization that rehabs homes of the needy.
Most of us learned from our parents' skills and values that helped them survive the Great Depression. We also remember, however faintly, skimping, saving, reusing and doing without during World War II.
Some of us practice the lessons still. We pay off our credit cards each month, and we have never borrowed other than for home or car and then only after saving for a hefty down payment. We find challenge in using less energy, driving conservatively and seeking ways to put old items to a new use before discarding. We have gardens. We know how to prepare meals without prepackaged ingredients.
We don't believe that anyone owes us anything just because we are senior citizens.
Obviously, not everyone agrees.
Obama said in his address that the economic meltdown is a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also a result of "our collective failure to make hard choices."
And like Jim in California, I worry about how the younger generations face difficult decisions.
His daughters and grandchildren live close to Jim and his wife. "Sometimes this is not so wonderful," he said in an e-mail. "We even find ourselves doing the 'financial bailout' thing that has so recently been popularized by our government . . . Could it be we erred in some ways rearing our kids?"
I don't know, but I do wonder how well our children, who for the most part have never known real shortages or hardships, will cope with the next few years, or if they will be hit by job losses at the time of increasing family and household costs.
There also are the long-range concerns for them, such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid consuming a greater and greater share of the budget without a fix.
We'll stay tuned . . . and hopeful.
Contact writer Evadna Bartlett at eva...@dailymail.com.
