As Benjamin Franklin said, “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.”

While none of us will escape death, that doesn’t make it any easier to contend with. It seems like the Silent Generation—my mom’s peers who were born between 1928-45—are leaving us at a fast rate these days. Considering the youngest of that generation turned 79 this year, it makes sense. Still, not easy.

This is a great article about the Silent Generation.

Six generations are alive today. The percentages are what they represented in the U.S. population in 2023, according to Statista.

• Greatest Generation, born before 1928 (0.13 percent)
• Silent Generation, born 1928-45 (4.92 percent)
• Baby Boomer, 1946-64 (20.93 percent)
• Gen X, 1965-80 (19.51 percent)
• Millennial, 1981-96 (21.71 percent)
• Gen Z, 1997-2012 (20.69 percent)
• Alpha, 2013-23 (12.76 percent).

This seems to be a particularly rough year for people I know who are in the Silent Generation or are have family who is.

• My Uncle Merle died in April at the age of 92.
• Fergie, a tennis friend, died in June in his 80s.
• Lisa’s dad died in September at age 88.
• Darla’s dad died in September at age 86.
• Denise’s mother-in-law died in October in her 80s.
• Sally’s sister died in October.
• Sue’s mom died in October at age 89.
• Rosemary’s mom also died in October; she was 99, so actually part of the Greatest Generation.

Another friend’s mom, who is in her 80s, is dealing with cancer.

A lot of sadness, but a lot of great memories. That’s why it’s important to appreciate each day you have with someone because there is no promise of tomorrow.