I've been living in Rehoboth Beach for about 7 months now. I have 2 more weeks to go, before I head back up the turnpike where I want to be. But it's been a hard 7 months. For one main reason...and many many little reasons. But, the main reason being the complete absence of people remotely close to my age...with my same interests. Don't get me wrong, there are some AMAZING people here, and my life has been blessed by them, but it's not the same as having close friends nearby. Or family. Or friends who are your family. That's a subset of people that I was never able to find and click with.
But, last night, I went over to my new friend, Karen's house. Karen is (I'm estimating) close to 30-35 years older than I am. But she is a kindred spirit, so to speak. I was there with her, her wonderfully fun partner Melissa, their friend Rose, and Laura. The closest one to my age being near 40. Score. However, it was the best night I've spent in Rehoboth Beach, DE. We had so much fun! I was able to truly be myself...and express my opinions, likes, dislikes, etc...and not be looked at like I'm younger than they are. Or less experienced than they are. They treat me like an equal. Like I'm just a smart (even if I don't have the years like they do...LOL). I never ONCE felt like they saw me as a child, or "youngen". In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm still convinced we are all the same age. To me, that was a huge gift.
Often times, people look at me and others in my generation, as if we have two-heads. I'd rather blog than speak in public, I learn all my news from twitter and not a printed paper, I talk to my friends via facebook and not on the phone (because it's free...just to name one reason), and because I still "have a lot to learn".
I get that I have a lot to learn. I'm 25. I make mistakes. I don't know exactly where my place is in the world yet. No one depends on me but myself. I get sudden urges to jump out of planes, go to a foreign country, or eat a tub of ice cream. I can fix my computer without calling a tech. I laugh at inappropriate comments. I don't know who Debby Boone is. I still like staying out late and laughing with friends. And yes, I'm banned from the Piggly Wiggly in Starkville, MS. But because I'm young...or because I have a different approach to communication...or because I do things differently...does not mean I'm less. It doesn't mean I'm not capable.
So, my awesome night of touring Rock Band III with my 3 favorite Rehoboth-ites did more for me than just cheer me up and make me laugh. It truly lifted my spirit. It closed an age gap...that I have been feeling way too strongly in the last 7 months. It gave me more confidence than I've had in a while. And it definitely worked my right calf muscle, trying to hit the pedal on the Wii drum.
We need to be more inter-generational. There is a lot to learn from each one...
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