Boomers seem to be catching a fair bit of flak these days – blamed for everything from the affordable housing crisis to the climate to the rise and fall of avocado toast. Full discloser: I’m a Boomer myself, although I clambered aboard that caboose in the final boarding call. I was more “participation ribbon” than Woodstock, more “Sgt. Pepper reissue” than first pressing.

But truth be told, I’ve long been in awe of my more senior Boomers. To me, they were like the big kids in the neighborhood – the ones who drove actual cars and wore Levi’s that faded naturally, not because a marketing team acid-washed them in a lab. This was the generation that gave us Indiana Jones, Roxanne, the Apple computer, all courtesy of four brilliant Steves –Spielberg, Martin, and Jobs/Wozniak.

And to prove the genius wasn’t limited to Steves, of course, we had the Beatles. Not a Steve among them, but still.

Back then, I figured if anyone could fix the world’s problems, it would be the folks of that generation. Cancer? Child’s play. Climate? Easy-peasy. Social Security? Surely. Flying cars and interstellar travel? A matter of time. I assumed they would have it all under control by the time I needed it, since I had my hands full just trying not to flunk Algebra II.

Well, time, as it turns out, does its thing. And now the Boomers are arriving at Retirement and Downsizing Central, shuffling out of the cars with reusable water bottles and hearing aids that sync to Spotify.

And yes, the to-do list remains a little… unfinished.

But here’s the thing: it’s not too late. Boomers – myself included – we’re still (mostly) here. Still (mostly) upright. And now, unburdened by meetings, parent-teacher conferences, or climbing the corporate ladder, we’ve got something we never had in our supposed prime: time and perspective.

So here’s my gentle invitation, my fellow Boomers: let’s not go gentle into that good recliner.

Time to mobilize. Let’s be mentors if any should seek mentorship. Or patrons (something tells me this would not be a hard sell). Let’s volunteer for projects in our community or for those who struggle in faraway lands. We can even be cheerleaders for the generations coming up behind us – yes, even the ones with TikTok and attention spans measured in seconds.

Let’s even kick our own rears into gear (easier said than done some days) and dig into the bottom drawer or the forgotten hard drive. That half-finished novel, that painting from your “blue period,” that business idea you shelved in 1983 – what if now’s the time? Not to go viral. Not to win prizes. But to make something again. Anything. Even just a joyful mess.

And if you need a little nudge, I’ve rewritten a classic anthem – respectfully and poorly – as a reminder:

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Hey BoomerDude (to the tune of Hey Jude, with fond apologies to Paul)

Hey Boomerdude, pick up your pen,
Take that lost dream and make it brighter.
Remember, it’s never too late to start
Just let it back into your heart.

Hey painter friend, don’t be afraid,
You were made to be a re-dreamer.
That moment when doubt taps onto your door
That’s when your brush should paint some more.

And anytime you feel the ache, just take a break
You’ve carried the world on tired shoulders.
But, you know, it’s not too cool to play it cool
If it just makes your spark grow colder…

Na-na-na-na-na, your story’s not done.

(But the song is. I figure you get the drift.)

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So may I propose this call to action, if you’re so inclined:

Pick up a pen, a paintbrush, a hammer, a harmonica, a knitting needle (knitting is the one with the big needles you click together with yarn and a sweater comes out the other side, right?), or whatever helps you make a little something true. Not for applause. Not for profit. But for the quiet joy of making.

And if your own creative spark feels more like a flicker these days, lend your light to someone else’s. Help a younger artist seeking their voice, or help a peer dust off theirs. Write a note of encouragement. Fund a portion of a project. Share a stage or a story. Do the equivalent of overpaying for some lemonade from the kids on the corner.

Because whether you’re a Boomer, a Gen X survivor, or any card-carrying member of Generation Alphabet Soup, there’s no expiration date on curiosity. And there’s no better time than now to be a part of the beautiful mess of making things – and of helping others make theirs too.

Your best work might not be behind you. It might just be waiting for you… or waiting for you to believe in someone else. Let’s show ’em we’re not done yet.

Re-mobilized Boomers – now there’s something.