LIFE AFTER 40 AND LOVING IT

I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in what was once a small town, Wake Forest, North Carolina. Growing up, I spent most of my time running around my neighborhood—playing games, building forts, exploring the woods, picking blackberries, and simply enjoying life. As I got older, my adventures became more daring; I embraced risk because it made me feel alive. Fortunately, my parents cared enough to rein me in when I went too far.

After experimenting with alcohol and drugs, I had a transformative experience at 35 years old. A light went on inside me that I could not ignore. I became a new woman with a fresh perspective, discovering a power greater than myself, which became my greatest ally. This marked the beginning of my journey toward spirituality and self-discovery. I devoted countless hours to reading and learning about the spiritual realm and personal healing. I also worked extensively with a therapist who doubled as a spiritual and life coach. My learning continues daily, as I seek wisdom from others.

In 2010, I got married and welcomed my son into the world. Initially, my marriage was filled with great passion, but after about eight years, things took a turn. In 2020, my ex-husband and I separated. In August of 2021 my son and I moved to Chapel Hill, NC, and by January 2022, our divorce was finalized. It was a devastating time; I spent my first few months in bed, feeling depressed and overwhelmed with questions. What could I have done differently? Why had I lost my libido? Where had the passion gone? Although I didn't necessarily find all the answers, through many heartfelt conversations with friends and my supportive therapist, I found peace.

The next significant event in my life occurred in November 2022 when my father—my guiding star—passed away. After my divorce, I leaned heavily on him for support; I often sought his advice and confided in him. We spent most Thanksgivings together in Duck, North Carolina, but during one visit, he suffered a massive heart attack and unexpectedly passed away. Suddenly my siblings and I were burdened with the responsibility of ensuring my mother, who has dementia, was cared for, I felt overwhelmed. My mother moved to Charleston, South Carolina, to live closer to my brother and sister, and I was left feeling lost and lonely. 

As a single mother on a fixed income, I did my best to maintain stability for my son while grappling with my fears about our future. Yet, through this heartache, I came to realize that losing my father granted me a newfound freedom—the freedom to pursue what genuinely makes me happy. I stopped living my life based on others' expectations and began to engage in activities that fulfilled me.

I am incredibly grateful for the strong, diverse group of women in my life. We can be authentic with one another, sharing our struggles and victories, and most importantly, learning from each other. The purpose of this platform is to encourage women to be vulnerable—to share their stories and experiences. This practice has been healing for me, and I want to extend that opportunity to the world. Welcome to my home, my safe place. Let’s Chick Chat!