The Missing Generation: Part I

Where are the silver-haired Titus Women to guide us?

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard this question…

I mean, she must exist, right. Yet, none of us, those seeking fairy-godmothers, have found her. Those of us under 50 years old that have been waiting around, praying a grandmother-like figure will appear in our lives, passing down nuggets of treasured wisdom about gardens and sewing and cooking and child-rearing.

She’s missing…

An entire generation, in fact. What’s known as the Boomer generation (those now between the ages of 60-80 years old) hold the last of centuries of knowledge, skills, and wisdom. All gained from the their mothers and grandmothers.

Now they are grandmothers. The only difference is that today’s grandmothers aren’t sitting around with knitting needles. No, they are too busy living their lives to the fullest, on brunches, social clubs, and vacays.

The others are wasting away watching cable TV, while scrolling social media for several hours at a time, playing “brain” games on their apps, and essentially never leaving their house and are totally anti-social.

All seem more fragile than younger generations. As though they’re lost, waiting for the government to tell them what to do next. As though they don’t even know who they are or what they truly believe at 70 years old.

And don’t get me started on the progressive, feminist advice they passed down to us when we were younger, and are now passing down to their granddaughters.

They’re not volunteering in their community. They’re not guiding their daughters or daughter-in-laws, as she navigates motherhood. They have no desire to help care for their grandchildren.

They’re not interested in being Titus Women.

The rare older women who do want to help seem to have less wisdom than most of my 40/30/even 20 something friends. I (39) literally have a friend (29) that knows far more about scripture than any woman over 60 I’ve known so far. And I dare say my 20 year old niece has greater intuition and wisdom than her 78 year old grandmother.

So where do we find the silver-haired Titus Women to guide us?

My answer…

(I’ve got 3 glorious silver hairs on my resume so far.)

We, the under 50’s are learning skills and gaining wisdom solo (meaning without an older woman’s help) and we’re prepping to be Titus Women sooner than we expected.

At almost 40, I am realizing, I am the older woman. She is here. I’m learning skills on my own. Every year, I’m getting better at gardening. With practice, I’m getting better at cooking. I’m reading real books every single day. As gaining knowledge has become a mild obsession.

I’ve not only become more knowledgeable. I’ve become more patient. More thoughtful. More bold in my faith. And more direct in my advice. I am a sound voice for child-rearing and marriage. I’ve lived a complicated, complex, imperfect, full life. My mistakes and experience, my testimony and redemption, daily repentance and humiliation, bold obedience and dedication to God make me qualified to be a solid helper.

I’m figuring things out. I’m asking for God’s help. He’s been refining me for some time now. Making me useful for those looking for guidance. I’m using my intuition and discernment. I’m sharing skills, knowledge, wisdom.

As I round this mountain top of life, I’m ready to be her.

The missing woman.

A Titus Woman.

Who are you?

~Casey