March 2, 2008
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I think it is so odd that I am hanging out with a girl not much older than my oldest. But these days I’d rather spend time with her than with anyone else I know. We have much in common as she’s an herbalist, we play music together, she does the kind of energy work I do, and she likes to hang out and have a couple drinks and talk about stuff I find fascinating. She’s so honest, and I admire her pluck. I love her face, too. It’s very unique. I even have a picture of her sitting in Henry’s kitchen.
My middle daughter, the one who is living with me, needed pictures of people for a project at school. This young friend, who I’ll call Elizabeth, needed a picture. She’s starting her business as an oboe teacher, and other wind instruments as well, and was working on a website. Actually, she was reluctant (she thinks she’s not photogenic), but she did it for me.
For some reason my daughter decided my old kitchen was the perfect location. I say “my” because I designed it. The house is up for sale and vacant, and she still has a key, so now I have a great shot of my old wallpaper with the salt and pepper shakers and the red built-in booth, with Elizabeth in the foreground. “It is as if she entered in the past…” I stole that line from Boo’s comment.
Comments (9)
That is farily unusual that you’d be spending so much time with someone so much younger. I wonder if there’s anything significant about that? Like was she your daughter in another life? Or you hers?? That’s what I’m thinking…:) marilyn
it is as if she entered in the past by the description of the picture. What a neat little mystical story that would be.
I usually end up hanging out with people that are younger than myself or much older. It seems all my aged friends have children and are too busy. Your Elizabeth sounds like she’d be fun to hang out with. Both of you do actually. I have often pictured tea with you and even having a drink at a blues bar. h that would be good.
I have friends younger although not too much younger than I. I appreciate their different point of view, make me feel younger sometimes and older and wiser occasionally:) I do not think it is unnatural, but even if it is, as long as you enjoy her company, then just . . . enjoy it:)
“it’s as if she entered in the past”… hmmm… very thought provoking!!! i think some friendships are meant to be regardless of age!
I definitely enjoy spending time with younger kids, especially my son’s cronies in their early twenties. They seem to enjoy it as well. Despite my advanced age, I don’t really feel too far removed from them. My theory is that all internal, mental aging stops at 35. The body continues on, but inside, at 35 you have arrived. At 85, you feel about the same as you did at 35. Also, I think younger friends keep you young. When I was in my twenties, my friends were mostly older by 10 or 15 years or so. Now it’s my turn!
I’m 27 and one of my best friends Sharon is 57, my mom’s age.
We joke that she’s the mother, and I’m the maiden, and we’re either going to have to find us a crone, or wait until I become the mother, so she can become the crone.
She’s my wise woman, my guide, and I am her youthful reminder, her inspiration.
Wanna know how we met? I dated her son, and though he and I didn’t work out, she continues to be my spirit mother. He’s a dick-head, but I put up with him, and maintain a friendship, because Mark and I make three stops at Christmas, My Parents, His Parent’s and Sharon’s.
You take family and friendship where you can find it, and you thank you lucky stars you were blessed in this way.
s
Oh how I love the satl and pepper shaker wall paper and the red built in booth idea. I can see myself sitting there having coffee. And I LOVE the Oboe, always hauntingly beautiful sounds to me.
ryc: Thank you Pru..your words give me wayyyyyyy to much credit but I appreciate the thought.
~ hugs ~
ryc: Dear Prudence, I am always chickening out. Love, Emily
We wanted a built-in booth when we remodeled the kitchen about 8 years ago, but no one would do it for us. Guess it wasn’t the style of the day.