There are only 1% of us left.

I was born between 1930 and 1946, a member of a generation representing just 1% of my peers still living today. With ages from 77 to 93, we embody a living snapshot of a pivotal era in human history—one marked by challenges, resilience, and remarkable transformations.

I entered the world during difficult times, weathering the Great Depression and witnessing a global conflict that reshaped our societies. I vividly remember ration books, saving every scrap of foil, and the mantra of reusing everything. Waste was not an option, and discipline was instilled in us by both Mums & Dads and teachers. Life was simpler then, grounded in the essentials that truly mattered.

Back in those days, when the milkman delivered fresh gold-top and silver-top milk to our front door, my imagination became my playground. Without the distractions of television, I spent hours outdoors, crafting entire worlds in my mind. Families would gather around the radio for news and entertainment; those moments were pure gold.

As a child, I lived in an era brimming with optimism. After WWII, the future felt bright, with few worries aside from the ongoing troubles related to groups like the Irish Republican Army (IRA), created in 1919 to end British rule in Ireland. The IRA played a significant role during the Irish War of Independence. Although turbulent times arose later with the Troubles in Northern Ireland, peace began to take hold by the late 1990s with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, allowing my generation to dream of a better world. I remember living in Bristol when my mother took in boarders, including many Irish Navvies working on building sites. I still hear her telling one Irishman seeking lodging, “No bombs in the house.”

In those early days, technology was starting to come alive. Shared phones were the norm, and newspapers served as my primary source of information. Typewriters—not computers—were how we captured our thoughts. I belong to the last generation that recalls the marvel of black-and-white TVs and the experience of shopping downtown. While polio loomed as a real fear, my parents determined to rebuild their lives and helped create a world rich with possibilities for me.

Reflecting on my life at over 77, I feel pride. I’ve lived through some crazy times with monumental events and changes. I belong to that fortunate 1% who can proudly say, “I lived through great times,” drawing connections between the trials of my youth and the evolving narrative of history.