develop close friendships with people of different generations

...are my cross-section of dear friends.

Those who’ve been on this planet-side trip 20-plus years longer than I have teach me daily lessons about aging gracefully, lifelong learning, and being a community “elder.”

Those who’ve been around for 20-plus years less than I (so far) continually remind me what’s possible to achieve when you’ve been raised with both deep love and fair limits.

For a while it seemed like I could relate better to my parents’ friends than my friends of my own generation, at least on some topics. Now that I am 26 I find that this is less and less the case, but I have set the precedent for myself that I can get along with older people.

As for younger people, I don’t know about close friendships, but I do love to visit my friend’s place who has 3 children and learn again what their world is like. There are so many assumptions we make in life that kids don’t make, and it’s a joy to learn another way of thinking and living.

I think this multi-generational community is missing from our modern life, which is a sad thing. I think we would have more respect for both older and younger people if we spent more time with them (and therefore had less reason to generalise).

... living in a ghetto. And a self-imposed one!

The young need elders. The elders need youngers. Those in the middle are deeply refreshed, and made grateful, by looking back and forward to other times of life.

There is much, much to give and receive from each other, when the “others” are radically different ages.

Time with the 2 year-old daughter of a friend and time with my 96 year old aunt are among the most delightful and enriching parts of my life. Only my improv theater group is less predictable!