The end of a doomed generation. The do as I say not as I do, tyrannical, beat you into submission generation. The what you do matters more than who you are or how you feel about yourself generation. You were the last, dear uncle.. The last of the bitter barbarians who shattered dreams and broke spirits. The last who believed that children knew nothing and could accomplish less. The last to teach your children bravery by beating the fear out of them.. The last to believe that love made you weak instead of stronger..
Your funeral was so obviously a celebration for us, the next generation. The ones who survived you.. The ones who learned from the previous generations mistakes. The newly emancipated generation will not be embarrassed of who they are or who they want to be. This generation will succeed and not be told to give up when they fail. They will earn their place instead of take it. They will follow what makes them happy and be encouraged to do so. Most importantly, they will NOT be ashamed to say, I love you.
Here's to you, to the dead and buried generation who taught us how not to live. Your timing could not be better, for the next generation under our charge is too young to know you. May they learn from our mistakes quicker than we learned from yours..
We love you and we forgive you. May you rest in peace.