As the birthdays stack up, I think it’s really important to have friends who are both older and younger than you are. The younger ones give off a sort of electric energy and give you a voyeuristic read on what’s going on out there. The older ones can offer you perspective. They can tell you what’s worth spending time on, and some of the things that just plain suck. And sometimes it’s just nice to know that someone has passed through your specific uncertain, or challenging terrain and lived to tell.

I have both, and I’ve been both. Yesterday it was a much younger friend who opened my eyes. We give something interesting to each other. Something that’s as valuable as good hair highlights and gluten free bread that actually tastes good. Grateful.