This personal essay explores the author's unexpected friendship with Natasha, an older woman, and how it challenged preconceived notions about intergenerational relationships. The author initially stereotyped Natasha based on her age, but their connection grew through shared values, experiences, and mutual support.
I first met Natasha while working in a university communications job. She was an external consultant, and all my colleagues were terrified of her.
“Yes, no worries,” I replied, and Natasha said, “OK, bye,” and hung up. I assumed she had better things to do, so I didn’t take it personally. The next time she called, I knew what to expect and was ready. Soon after, I left the job to pursue a freelance lifestyle and didn’t hear from Natasha again, until she randomly called to ask how I was, and if I needed help getting work. I said yes, of course – a freelancer will never turn down an opportunity.
Natasha was different. She was me, but older: an Eastern European media obsessive, an only child, accomplished writer, consultant, freelancer, fashion-loving homebody, who loved a wine at the end of the day and who wanted to work forever. “What attracted me to you was how much you reminded me of me,” Natasha told me when I asked her why she thought we were friends.
Like many Millennials, before I got to know Natasha I bought into the Boomer stereotypes: rich, educated for free, took my house and jobs while telling me how hard their life was compared to mine. I would get annoyed just looking at photos of people over a certain age, especially if their haircuts and clothes looked expensive. And while Natasha does own her house, she definitely earned it.
Lifestyle GENERATIONAL FRIENDSHIPS BOOMERS MILLENNIALS SOCIAL INCLUSION LIFE ADVICE
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