ASSINIBOIA - I’ve been hearing a lot of talk lately about Generation Z. Most of what folks are saying isn’t very nice. I confess, I had absolutely no idea what Generation Z was until I googled it.
So, who the heck is Generation Z anyway? Apparently, if you’re born somewhere between the mid 1990s and the early 2010s, you’re known as a zoomer, or a member of Generation Z. That’s what the internet says: “Generation Z, colloquially known as zoomers, is the demographic cohort succeeding Millennials and preceding Generation Alpha. Researchers and popular media use the mid to late 1990s as starting birth years, and the early 2010s as ending birth years.”
The reason I bring this up now is simply because I’ve met numerous young people lately, who I’ve found to be quite lovely. I had no idea, however, that these young folks were known as Generation Z. I’m a baby-boomer, and almost a hundred years old. I know little about the younger generation. What I do know is that those I have met have been pleasant, courteous and helpful. Not all, of course, but most. That’s been my experience.
Like the other day. I had a sudden blow-out on the company lease vehicle that I drive every Wednesday and Thursday on my weekly news run for SASKTODAY.ca and the Assiniboia Times. I’ve driven this 1,100-km route across southern Saskatchewan every week now for the past nine years. My job is simply to dig up news stories, take photos pertinent to those and other stories and to deliver the Assiniboia Times newspaper, come hell or high water.
To continue my story, early on Thursday afternoon two weeks ago, I blew a tire just east of Mankota on the last leg of my two-day news-run. I was headed for Kincaid, Woodrow, Lafleche, Thomson Lake, Gravelbourg, Mossbank and home to Assiniboia when it happened. I pulled off onto an approach, and within seconds was lying on my back under my Nissan Infinity, with just my long ole’ legs sticking out. Somewhat choked because of the delay, I lay there scratching my head trying to figure out how to disengage the spare tire so I could get back on the road. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I heard a lady’s voice asking, “Can I help?” I poked my head out from under my rig. Standing there before me was a pleasant-looking and smiling young lady — obviously a farm girl — dressed in a beige cap, red hoodie, black pants and work boots.
“You look like you could maybe use a hand,” she said quietly.
“You may be right,” I replied.
“My clothes are already dirty, so I don’t mind helping,” she said without hesitation, and pitched right in.
With this young lady’s timely help, in minutes the spare tire was on and I was ready to hit the road. Her parents — who had been in Mankota at the time — arrived in time to see if we needed further help.
Merissa Zerr is the lovely and kind young lady who stopped to help in my hour of need. She’s the 23-year-old daughter of Pam and Greg Zerr who farm slightly west of Mankota. Merissa just completed her agronomy degree this spring at the University of Saskatchewan and has been working full-time at Nutrien Ag Solutions in Kincaid since she graduated. She was taking a few days off work to help her folks with harvest.
I’m sad to say that I have in the past been somewhat worried and more than a little concerned about our young people here in Canada and around the world. I’m troubled, no longer. Young Merissa Zerr has given me new hope. Generation Z will be just fine. I’m sure of it! And, from where I stand, that’s how I see it.
By the way. The young man who marries Merissa? He’s one lucky son-of-a-gun. And you can tell him I said so.
