Rewriting the Next Chapter

Today marks the beginning of a new chapter. I’m celebrating another birthday, another year of life, and a new season: divorced, completely single, and officially an empty nester.

To celebrate turning 56, I traveled to Peru, a journey that became much more than a birthday trip. Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable experiences, I found myself reflecting on where I’ve been and where I want to go next. For the first time in a long time, I’m asking myself: What do I want this next chapter to look like?

Before anything else, I am deeply grateful. Life has brought its share of joy and heartbreak, victories and disappointments, but I wouldn’t erase any of it. Every experience has shaped the woman I am today. I have a loving family, incredible friends, a career that has given me purpose, and countless blessings that remind me just how fortunate I am.

Reaching this stage of life has also made me think about the changes I want to make. I am grateful to be a nurse and for the career I’ve built, but I also recognize that the stress of management has become heavy. I spend so much of my life working that I’ve started asking myself an important question: Is this how I want to spend the years ahead? Work should be meaningful and fulfilling, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of peace. I’m determined to find a healthier balance, one that allows me to continue serving others while protecting my own well-being.

As I continue navigating this season of being single, I want to intentionally create a life filled with joy, purpose, adventure, and meaningful connections. I want to keep exploring the world, investing in the people I love, trying new experiences, and saying yes to the things that make my soul come alive. I don’t have all the answers yet, and that’s okay. I’m giving myself permission to discover what this new life can become.

My birthday itself was simple but incredibly special. After returning home from Peru, exhausted from the journey, I spent most of the day resting. That evening, my daughters surprised me with a beautiful dinner at Bern’s Steak House. As a true foodie, I found every course a delight, but the experience went far beyond the meal. Touring the famous kitchen and wine cellar, then ending the evening in the dessert room with what might have been the best espresso martini I’ve ever had, made the celebration unforgettable.

More than anything, I am grateful for my daughters, my greatest blessings and the loves of my life. Celebrating another birthday also means celebrating the privilege of being their mother. They have filled my life with more joy than words can express.

This birthday feels different because I know I am rewriting the next chapter of my story. I cannot change the past, but I can choose what comes next. The mistakes have become wisdom. The challenges have built resilience. The lessons have given me clarity. Every experience, every place I’ve traveled, every person I’ve met, and every season I’ve lived has prepared me for what’s ahead.

So here’s to Chapter 56, a chapter of peace over pressure, purpose over perfection, courage over fear, and choosing joy every single day. The story isn’t over. In many ways, I believe it’s just beginning.