I was on the phone with a friend and she asked where I was going. I told her I was on my way to a funeral. “Another one?” she asked. “You need to get younger friends” she joked. Actually, she was partially right. Not that I needed new friends, but that many of my friends are older. I’ve always loved having friends of all ages, and now that I think about it, my friends probably span at least eight decades. It would be nine, but I don’t count teenagers as friends until they can have a conversation without looking at their phones.
I guess growing up in a large family and being active in a large church exposed me to people of all ages and I learned the value of the different generations. One important lesson was that sometimes a person young in years can be stuffy and dull, while a person considered elderly can be full of enthusiasm and new ideas. I’ve found the decade of our birth doesn’t matter much as long as we find that certain “click” friends have.
As a sophomore in college, I realized I was sick and tired of being around 19 and 20 year olds. Everyone pretty much thought alike, dressed alike and talked alike. “Grody to the max! Gag me with a spoon! (It was the 80’s). I missed seeing children in my neighborhood and older people in the grocery stores, since I shopped at the store near campus that was filled with Madonna and George Michael look-alikes. (I leaned more towards team Debbie Gibson).
In her wonderful book, “Giddy up Eunice,” Birmingham author Sophie Hudson . . .
Click HERE to continue reading at AL.com.
98? Impossible! She is beautiful and you are too, I love your orange dress. It looks like a classic Diana Vreeland wrap dress.
I think you both show great taste in friends. (having lots of trouble getting words to show up that I’ve typed so will just add that I loved this post)
Thank you Dewena! Jule is a joy to know and I’m blessed she’s in my writer’s group. We meet, usually at her house, once a week and read our work to each other. Her stories always steal the show!
I couldn’t agree more Leslie Anne. Friendships come in all ages, we learn from our older friends and teach our younger ones…………
It’s the younger ones who crack me up right now. So amazed at everything!
Wise beyond your years, my dear. I have always had friends of all ages, and when I was but a tot, I used to love sitting with my ancient Grandma and “the old ladies” on the second row of church each Sunday. Now I am the older one, and many of my friends are young and younger, and I love that, too. I think one of the reasons you are a successful writer is your perspective on the more mundane aspects of daily life.
Thanks Ellen. You are a great encourager! Isn’t it funny how we used to think the old ladies were ancient, and looking back, they were probably only 35?
I agree. I love having friends older than me as well. They have taught me many things and I have surely learned a lot. I love my younger friends as well.
Great read by the way.
Thank you, and enjoy those friends!
Your thoughtful loving spirit and giggle worthy honesty continue to impress and amaze me Leslie Anne, I am proud to have such a valuable friend 🙂
Oh Jenna, you are a doll! Thank you.
I love having friends of all ages. The older ones usually have wisdom from life experiences that I desperately need and the young ones are so full of energy and fresh ideas.
Exactly! And the bigger message from the older friends is usually, “grab the adventures while you can!”
I have always enjoyed friendships with different age groups. They stretch my mind and I need that! Great read!
Thanks Pam. Good for you!