Hold on to your hats, Party People. I’m about to write something that is going to blow your mind. I had a good experience with…wait for it…Millennials. 

What the what?! I know. I’m as shocked as you.

You see, everything I have read over the past few years is about how lazy Millennials are. How self-absorbed, stupid and selfish they are. And me, being Generation Y (the best generation EV-A…except I just checked and according to Wikipedia I’m a Millennial…nooooooo), well, I’m busy building an empire and working ridiculously long hours to really dive into debating Millennials and all they are. I just read the articles or watch the videos about some of their ridiculous behaviors and think “oh jeez…we’re really in for it”. 

This is probably exactly the way Generation X and the Baby Boomers felt when they hit their late 30’s looking at my generation. It’s just the cycle. We all grow up and then think the younger versions of ourselves are ridiculous and lazy. It’s human nature.

HOWEVER, much to my incredible surprise, it was the Millenials, those hot-bodied, non-baby-stretched, baby-faced 20-somethings that made my day last week.

You see, my car broke down on a very, very busy street last week. It just stopped running. It died. On the spot. A couple Gen-X’ers pushed my little car over to the side of the road where my 6-year old (the lovely and talented Miss P, now officially called a Centennial) and I hung out for an hour and a half waiting for a tow truck to come and rescue us. 

Want to know the most interesting part of my day waiting for that tow truck? It was learning about the kindness and beauty that is our Millennials.

Of all the people that slowed down to check on us, ask if we were okay, offer support, water, a ride and all things in between, 85% of those people were Millennials. That’s right. All tanned, sunglassed and coming back from the beach, those were the people who checked in with us. HOWEVER, of the 85% of those people that talked to us, I’d say 75% of them were actually coming home from work, not the beach. 

Why was this so interesting to me? Because, it was the Millennials who showed compassion to my bored 6-year old. It was the Millennials who offered to go to the liquor store for me to get me a bottle of wine. It was the Millennials who offered us water, snacks and even a song to keep us happy and smiling. Millennials.

I watched car after car with drivers my own age glance at me and quickly look away. Too busy in their lives to even think about offering support or even *gasp* a smile of encouragement. It was rush-hour and the traffic was humming. I know the need to get home after work. I know the desire to get from point A to point B and not have interruptions because you have kids waiting for dinner, lessons to get to and all things Motherhood in between. 

I get it. We’re a busy generation. Life is busy.

But my little Millennials, well, they were where I was 15 years ago. They hold jobs, they go to work on hot, sunny days and they also want to get home. But, much as I would have, they stopped to make sure we were okay. They stopped to show kindness. They weren’t so self-absorbed and selfish that they kept their energy to themselves. They were…beautiful and warm and funny and sweet. And I am so grateful.

It’s easy to put younger generations down. It’s easy to say they’re doing it all wrong. But, who the heck are we to say that? They’re growing up in a world completely different than the one I did. And, the kindness and compassion they showed my daughter and I filled me with such hope and love for the future.

So Millennials…when my generation comes down on you…please know there are people like me rooting for you and praising the way you’re coming up in this world. Fight the good fight, work hard and stay kind. Don’t let life get in the way. Show US that kindness can last through all decades of our lives. 

I believe in the goodness of people. And I am so honoured to experience that kindness every day. From all generations. Thank you, Millennials, for opening my eyes to the goodness and joy that is your generation. I’m a fan.