A wish from Kirk Douglas

I saw the quote below by Kirk Douglas and as it's his birthday I thought I'd share it because  I really like it and it's something I'd imagine a grandfather saying. Just as I love all my family, I love my grandparents and even though they're no longer here in body I know that they are always with me in my heart so indirectly this quote reminds me of them for some reason. Anyway,  I also like this quote because he said it on his 90th birthday. When I get to be as old as that, my hope is I'll have just as much spunk and be able to have some wise thing to say. (Even if it's just "keep your socks up and never give up!")

[December 9, 2006]: "My name is Kirk Douglas. You may know me. If you don't . . . Google me. I was a movie star and I'm Michael Douglas' dad, Catherine Zeta-Jones' father-in-law, and the grandparents of their two children. Today I celebrate my 90th birthday. I have a message to convey to America's young people. A 90th birthday is special. In my case, this birthday is not only special but miraculous. I survived World War II, a helicopter crash, a stroke, and two new knees. It's a tradition that when a "birthday boy" stands over his cake he makes a silent wish for his life and then blows out the candles. I have followed that tradition for 89 years but on my 90th birthday, I have decided to rebel. Instead of making a silent wish for myself, I want to make a loud wish for The World. Let's face it: The World is in a mess and you are inheriting it. Generation Y, you are on the cusp. You are the group facing many problems: abject poverty, global warming, genocide, AIDS and suicide bombers, to name a few. These problems exist and the world is silent. We have done very little to solve these problems. Now we leave it to you. You have to fix it because the situation is intolerable. You need to rebel, to speak up, write, vote, and care about people and the world you live in. We live in the best country in the world. I know. My parents were Russian immigrants. America is a country where EVERYONE, regardless of race, creed, or age has a chance. I had that chance. You are the generation that is most impacted and the generation that can make a difference. I love this country because I came from a life of poverty. I was able to work my way through college and go into acting, the field that I love. There is no guarantee in this country that you will be successful. But you always have a chance. Nothing should interfere with it. You have to make sure that nothing stands in the way. When I blow out my candles - 90! . . . it will take a long time . . . but I'll be thinking of you." (quote from IMDB.com - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000018/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm)