Baby Boomers: the Third Act, or, Encore Careers

 

Act One:

Even though I didn’t know it at the time, I followed every trend.

I was born in 1947.

In the 50’s I was the perfect student in school.

In the 60’s I was the perfect teenager.

Then in the 70’s the perfect hippie.

 

Act Two:

By the 80’s I became the perfect yuppie. By then I was married. It was all about money and spending.

In the 90’s women’s rights! I divorced and started my own corporation.

 

Act Three:

I married the right man. Now the two of us spend our time being useful to others. We began our encore career. We opened a bed-and-breakfast to bring pleasure to people in a beautiful place. I thought I was such a rebel all my life, but now I know I’m just a variation on what 70 million baby boomers have done with their lives.

 

—Guiamer Hiegert, co-owner with her husband, Gary, of the Lost Whale Inn, Trinidad, California