Love. Just love.

I went to a memorial service today for a life-long friend. She was my parents' friend but was also a cherished adult in my life as well. As I reflected on her life, I realized a few things.

• As young people -- as children -- the adults in our lives are mostly unknown to us. Our parents aren't our friends. Our mentors aren't our peers.

• Good mentors are a treasure and a blessing.

• Getting older gives us a wider lens on all the blessings in our life.

For the week ahead, reflect on all the positive people you've been blessed to know. Think about how much you really know them. Understand that no matter what the difference in your ages, we all have had (or will have) our challenges and they will be similar. We all struggle, we fear, we feel like winners, losers, we feel lost or sad or worried. We all have a win from time to time, even if no one notices. Or they do.

No matter who you are, no matter how old you are or are not, we are so much more alike than we are different. Look upon each other -- and yourselves -- with compassion and understanding.

Peace and love to you in the week ahead.