Seeing the Generations

Slicing Through Time

Some moments feel like they hit pause on the whole world.

This past weekend was one of those moments. I got to spend time with one of my dearest friends in the world—someone I’ve known for what feels like lifetimes. We met in college, walked through our twenties hand-in-hand (figuratively… and sometimes literally across cobblestone streets in Europe), and we’ve now grown into the kind of women who can text once in a while and still pick up mid-sentence when we reconnect. You know the type.

But this time—this trip—it was different. Because it wasn’t just about us. This time, I met her daughters. Her family. We were joined by three generations across one beautiful weekend. And while the trip had all the ingredients of a classic summer story—sunshine, beach breezes, ice cream stops, and everyone packed into a 12-passenger van—it also held something much bigger: a real-time view of the life she’s built.

And wow. What a life.

The Long Arc of Friendship

You know what’s wild?

When you’ve known someone so long that you’ve witnessed their entire evolution. I’ve seen this woman through just about every version of herself—and I mean that with awe, not sentimentality.

This is someone who was bold and brilliant when I met her—and is somehow even more grounded, wise, and radiant now. Watching her move through the weekend—managing family logistics, making space for joy, holding conversations that ran deep and light, planning meals, staying present for everyone—I couldn’t stop thinking: She is doing it.

She’s not just the same person I knew. She’s grown. She’s stretched. And somehow, she’s still got the same laugh that makes me feel like I’m 19 again. (You know that laugh? The one you can hear in your memory without even trying?)

And maybe that’s the real magic of longtime friendships: you get to see someone’s growth in a way no one else can. You’ve got the receipts. You remember the tiny apartments, the heartbreaks, the dumb jokes, the brave moves, the first big jobs. You remember the balcony chats and the coffee shop dreams. You’ve been witness to the story, not just the highlight reel.

She’s the kind of friend who remembers your overseas adventures, knows your spouse’s middle name, and still has printed photos of you in a photo album somewhere. (Yes, with actual corners. And captions. In pen.)

Traveling Together

At one point, we all loaded onto a pontoon boat—twelve of us—gliding down the canal in the warm afternoon sun. It wasn’t fancy. It wasn’t flashy. But it was everything.

There was something about the way the breeze lifted the conversation. The way the kids bounced around in their little world while the grownups told stories and snapped photos. The way generations laughed together. The way the present moment felt like it was stitched together with threads from the past.

I stood there, hand on the rail, sunglasses on, and just took it in.

There’s something sacred about watching someone you love live their life so fully. Not on a stage. Not in a highlight reel. Just in the everyday brilliance of being who they are. That boat ride wasn’t just a leisure activity—it was a living reminder of love, leadership, and legacy. We all showed up. We all shared the ride.

And the van? Oh yes, the 12-passenger van definitely made an appearance again. It was loud. It was hilarious. And it was the kind of simple chaos that just works when you’re traveling with people you adore.

Okay, Let’s Play
What if you slowed down just long enough to notice the lives of the people around you—not the LinkedIn bios or the Instagram posts, but the real, layered stories playing out in real time?

Ready: Start by paying attention. Not just to your own growth, but to someone else’s. A friend. A sibling. A colleague you’ve known for years. What have you seen in them? What’s changed?

Set: Make space for the memory lane and the present moment. Let yourself marvel at how far people come—not because it’s flashy, but because it’s real.

Go:

• Reach out to someone you’ve known a long time. Tell them what you see in them now.
• Revisit an old photo or memento and reflect on what’s changed—and what’s stayed beautifully the same.
• Look at your calendar. Where can you say yes to presence? Not for work, but for witnessing.
• Ask someone you admire to tell you their origin story. Then listen. Really listen.

The Power of Noticing

Here’s what I’ve learned: when you pay attention to someone else’s growth, it reflects something back at you. Not comparison—connection.

It reminds you that you’ve grown, too.

This weekend reminded me that leadership isn’t always about taking the stage. Sometimes, it’s about being the kind of person who shows up in someone else’s story. It’s about being a witness. It’s about staying close enough to notice.

In seeing the generations, I didn’t just see a family. I saw a friend I’ve loved for years standing in the full light of her life—and I realized what a gift it is to still be there beside her, watching her shine.

Let this be your nudge to look around. To see the generations. To notice the lives playing out right next to yours.

Because if you’re lucky, you’ll get a moment like this too. And you won’t want to miss it.
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Hey there! I’m Blair Bloomston, author of UPLIFTED WEEKLY and your friendly consultant, facilitator, and game-based educator on-call, bringing a passion and penchant for all things play (I’m also alliteratively all-in). As the founder of Leaders Uplifted, I help leaders like you tap into creativity, connection, and confidence to make work feel less like a grind and more like a game. Keep reading with me— I’m here to be your business best friend. Let's go!