Throughout my life I've had very smart friends.
And I always downgraded myself, thinking things like, "I'm the funny and dumb one and my friends are the smart ones and that's why they like me", but today I recognize I'm not the dumb person I used to think I was. You usually hang around people you have things in common with, and I was smart too, I just never saw it.
I think that's why I always got along well with old people. In all my jobs there's always been this one older woman or man who'd become friends with me and give me advice. They'd be admired by how I expressed myself or carried myself, and I used to think they were exaggerating. But now that I'm older I see my value. I see what they saw. Same thing with the congregation, there's a couple of older sisters and brothers who say the same things about me. Maybe they see themselves in me. Or maybe I'm an old soul and that's why I get along so well with people who are not my age at all. Maybe I really am wise beyond my years but I won't let that get into my head.
