Women Bring Generations Together
Family Projects, Say Advice Columnists, Help Fill Generational Gap
(WASH,DC – April 15, 2005) A Generation Xer looks around at her cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, parents, and others, and realizes being part of a cohesive family unit takes hard work and commitment. Even to the extent of creating special projects, having a mission, and undertaking unique endeavors.
The special endeavor, author, advice columnist, and speaker, Pamela Simonson, 27, alluded to was a generational project started with her own family in mind. She was talking about the collection of family sayings her grandmother Celia Ford, mother Theresa Allen, and she wrote together two years ago.
“Being on a level playing ground with your family members nullifies dissension,” advises the eldest Ford. The retired Registered Nurse, Schoolteacher, and mother of four, continued by emphasizing, equality puts everyone on par, adding another dimension to relationships.
Their multi-generational family project has since evolved into a bestselling book, Pearls of Wisdom From Three Generations and popular advice column, Ask Pearls of Wisdom, epitomizing family, generational wisdom, and filling the generation gap. A book is just one way a family can quash indifferences agree the trio, who were 75, 50, and 25 years old at the same time.
“Having a specific mission helps sets the tone,” advised Allen. Retired from Newsday, the businesswoman went on to say,
“A family project helps generations view each other as business partners”. She stresses families should have a shared objective to help crystallize visions, helping dreams become realities. She also encourages family members to trust each other and live by one of the sayings in their book, which simply states,
“The foundation of relationships is based on the premise of mutual purpose.
Simonson agrees and encourages kinfolk to find a common ground – a purpose, other than getting together for events, special occasions, and holidays.
“Families should try and solidify their talents or interests,” Simonson states, suggesting projects in the arts, music, literature, compiling a video, or even creating a shared website. Pearls of Wisdom From Three Generations has bought the native New Yorkers together on a more consistent basis and includes many encouraging family expressions, affirmations, and proverbs. Some familiar sayings passed down from generation to generation include “God don’t like ugly”, “What has already been and will be, has been before”, and “crabs in a basket”. There are also daily affirmations in the back of the book.
“We have an opportunity to hear a different voice from each other. It is very good therapy. We advise a special project for all families,” Simonson confidently stated. The third generation teacher recommends making upcoming Mother’s Day the kick-off date to start a project and have the first family meeting.
Ford (the Depression Child), Allen (Baby Boomer), and Simonson (Generation Xer) also offer advice from three different perspectives in an advice column, Ask Pearls of Wisdom. The column highlights the three ladies often agree to disagree, strengthening their respect for each other, another element of a healthy family project.
They are always finding ways to develop a new dimension to their Pearls of Wisdom project, helping to galvanize their relationship as business partners, collaborators, and equals, reinforcing their theory of bringing generations together, strengthen relationships, and family solidarity. The trio has also evolved into inspirational speaking and public events. They also plan other written materials to help inspire other families.
Simonson, a Washington National Opera soprano, suggests the youth of the family approach the elders with their ideas and a committed spirit.
“A fresh new voice could reignite a spark where a fire once burned”, concluded Simonson. “The blaze may have cooled, but the ambers still burn underneath.”
