Stories of Generational Resilience

All month long, I will explore “the power of story.” Increasingly, “story” is used as a buzzword to brand projects or people as unique, inclusive, or person-centered. I, too, am guilty of leaning on the phrase “the power of story.” But a story isn’t powerful because we declare it so. It is powerful because of what it reveals about individuality, relationships, and meaning-making as it evolves through time. In this blog, I share an excerpt from my forthcoming book, "A Hand to Hold: Stories of Generational Resilience among LGBT Older Adults," as part of an ongoing exploration of how stories shape research, understanding, and connection.

As a gerontologist, I believe part of my job is to listen to stories. These stories aren't limited to older adults; I've heard accounts from people of all ages. For example, I've listened to a 22-year-old finding their way through life after World War II, a 40-year-old who lost everything to come out as gay, and someone who felt scared to take an HIV test in their sexual prime. While these stories may come from the mouths of 70-year-olds, in their hearts, they still experience the fears and emotions of a 30-year-old taking an HIV test for the first time or an 18-year-old sharing her first kiss with another woman.

I feel privileged to witness these individuals in their present states. Though they may look different and tell their stories through the lens of time, they remain the same person they were decades ago, enriched by their thoughts and experiences. To me, understanding this is the gift of gerontology. However, it concerns me that when I talk to people across the age spectrum, they often do not share this perspective. What if we stopped comparing the present to the past and started comparing the present to the future?

In the future, no one holds precedence or added value; we are all equal because nothing has yet been written. By shifting our focus from past comparisons to our visions of the future, we can engage in a conversation that fosters reflection without animosity or competition. Our aspirations for the future can spark an evolving dialogue about improving the present and paving the way for a better future for everyone.

Citation: Bower, K. (forthcoming). A Hand to Hold: Stories of Generational Resilience among LGBT Older Adults. [Book in preparation]. Publisher.