Wisdom Across Ages: The Gift of Inter-generational Connections

“Friendships across generations enrich our lives with wisdom, fresh perspectives, and a deeper understanding of the world. They remind us that connection knows no age.”

This photo collage represents a small slice of my life, The women pictured are in their 20s - 80s, spanning seven generation. Each generation in between is represented. One of my birthday practices is to plan a intergenerational meal. I ask for each friend to share wisdom from their perspective. There is a gift in these intergenerational relationships.

“Wisdom is not confined solely to age, it can pour through any vessel, any person and any stage.”

Sheila P Spencer

Gathering these incredible women around the table reminds me that wisdom flows freely across the generations, from the youngest to the oldest. In our conversations, I find a rich tapestry of experiences, insights, and perspectives that shape how we see the world and each other. These moments of shared wisdom, laughter, and connection are not just traditions—they are lifelines that nurture our spirit, challenge our thinking, and deepen our emotional bonds.

Through these intergenerational friendships, I am reminded that we are never too old to learn or too young to teach.

The gift of these relationships is a reminder that we are all, in our own way, teachers and students in life’s journey.

Benefits:

  1. Intergenerational relationships expose you to different worldviews, helping you see issues and life experiences from various angles, leading to greater empathy and understanding.

  2. These relationships offer a strong support network, providing emotional stability and reassurance through shared stories and experiences, especially during challenging times.

  3. Engaging with people of different ages encourages continuous learning

If you already have connections with friends of different generation, plan a gathering. Encourage each other and have the generations share what they appreciate about each other and what they wish each generation understood about them. Make it an event that you do more than once a year. Ask each generation to invite a friend who may not have access to a circle.

If you don’t have this connection, Join or create a community group or club that naturally brings together people of different ages—like a book club, gardening group, or volunteer organization. Start with the small step of taking the initiative to invite someone from a different generation out for coffee or a casual lunch to learn more about their experiences and perspectives.

“Wisdom is not defined or confined to age, It can pour through any vessel, any person and any stage”

Sheila P Spencer