Growing Old(er)

Norfolk Pine Tree - "The Mother Tree"

Last evening a group of local friends gathered for a BBQ; and with most of us ranging in age from 40-70, our aging kupuna (elders) was one of the topics of conversation.  Many people present had parents who are 80-90 years old, including us.  Some are in assisted living situations, others are facing serious health issues like brain tumors and cancer.  Of course, there are many unknowns, but one thing we could all agree on is how much love and respect we have for them.
 
Another observation we made is the number of changes they have witnessed in their lives.  We began to mention a few US Presidents, automobiles, inventions, etc. so we decided to look up a few things that were invented since the turn of the last century, when our parents were born.  What an interesting look a the changes they witnessed.  (List is below from a cool website called: www.historylearningsite.co.uk)

Anyway, we came home thinking of our own kupuna, Phil's mother, Margaret who is facing her own set of challenges in her mid-90's.  Here is a new photo the tree that we planted in her honor when we first moved to the Big Island; at the time it was about 30" tall -- and now just look at it.

There's Phil with the tribe of corgis -- Dexter, Reba leaning against Phil's leg, and little Poko is now just about four months old. 

1901 : vacuum cleaner

1902 : air conditioning; automated tea maker

1903 : electrocardiogram; first powered flight

1904 : radar; tea bags; diodes

1905 : plastic; windscreen wipers; silencer for guns

1906 : radio broadcasting

1907 : electric washing machine

1908 : coffee filter; paper cups; assembly line production

1910 : neon lamps

1911 : stenotype machines

1913 ; Brillo pads; crossword puzzles; bras; zips

1916 : sonar

1920 : hair dryers; kiss-proof lipstick; submachine guns

1921 : robots; insulin

1922 : Aga cooker

1923 : hearing aids

1924 : frozen food

1925 : Geiger counter; television

1926 : liquid fuel rocket; pop-up toaster; aerosol sprays

1927 : ‘Talkies’ at the movies

1928 : iron lung; penicillin

1929 : artificial life

1930 : jet engine; mechanical toothbrushes; Scotch tape

1931 : electric razor

1932 : radio telescope; parking meter; folding wheelchair

1933 : electron microscope; angle-poise lamp

1934 : cats eyes

1935 : electric guitar

1936 : sun tan lotion; electric blanket

1938 : ballpoint pen; photocopying

1939 : helicopters; cloud seeding to trigger rain

1942 : first nuclear reactor built; Napalm

1943 : aqualung

1944 : kidney dialysis machine

1946 : microwave ovens; automation; Bikini; Tupperware; Tupperware Parties

1947 : transistors; holograms; artificial intelligence; disposable nappy; mobile phones

1948 : Frisbees; Velcro; general purpose computers; contact lenses

1950 : credit cards; self-cleaning house; junction transistor

1951 : contraceptive pill; cartons of milk

1952 : wide-screen cinema

1953 : transistor radio

1954 : solar cell; synthesizer

1955 : hovercraft; atomic clock; polio vaccine; structurally modified antibiotics

1956 : video tape recorder

1957 : satellite; endoscope

1958 : video games; microchip; modems

1959 : car seat belts