My older sister always says that life has chapters. The more I live, the more I realize just how right she is. I’ve already filled the pages of quite a few volumes, and while those stories are deeply cherished, I’m standing here with a blinking cursor on a fresh screen, looking forward to the chapters still to be written.
The thing about these new chapters? They look very different from the ones that came before. The fingers are typing away, and the next chapter looks bright.
The Season of “Them”
For twenty-two years—from the moment my daughter was born until my son headed off to college—the plot of my life was centered entirely around them. It was a beautiful, chaotic, 24/7 commitment. While they are, and always will be, the most important part of my world, the daily rhythm has changed. They aren’t in the next room anymore; they are out in the world, living their own stories.
One of my most challenging chapters was learning how to live on my own once the nest was empty. I grew up in a house overflowing with energy—three sisters and two brothers at my dad’s. Even though two of my siblings have since passed away, that feeling of a “full house” was my baseline. My experience with my mom was different; for many years, I was the only child when I was with her. I had to learn how to do things without my siblings during those times, and I adjusted. But nothing quite prepares you for the silence of a home after two decades of parenting.
The Single Parent Chapter: Rewarding and Exhausting
For fourteen years, I was a single parent. From the time my daughter was eight and my son was four, it was just the three of us. When they were with their dad, I used the time to catch up on chores or steal a few hours of much-needed rest. But when they were with me? I was “on” at all times.
There was no backup. I still remember those midnight drives to pick my daughter up from sporting events, having to wake my son and load him into the car because I couldn’t leave him home alone. You just did what had to be done. That chapter was a paradox—it was the most rewarding experience of my life, yet undeniably exhausting.
Trading “Things” for Time and Strength
Now, I find myself in a very different phase. My children are in their thirties, living their best lives, and I am finally working to do the same. I’ve reached a point of profound contentment, largely because my priorities have shifted.
I’ve lost interest in accumulating “stuff.” Over the last year, I’ve let go of so many physical things, and with every box donated, I’ve felt a little more free. I’ve discovered that:
- Time is more beautiful than objects.
- Capability is the ultimate currency.
- Experiencing life beats consuming things every time.
I’ve also realized that to truly experience this chapter, I need to be physically ready for it. I’ve been focusing on my fitness and nutrition, and there is a specific kind of confidence that comes from knowing I can literally carry my own weight—and then some! Lifting 20 pounds isn’t just a number; it’s the strength to stay “on” for the fun things, like cooking a big meal or visiting with neighbors, without feeling depleted.
My Next Chapter: Joy, Laughter, and Solitaire
I want the next pages of my life to be filled with simple, soul-deep joys. I want to spend time with my family and friends, lean into my love of cooking, and keep my body strong. I find so much peace in the small things—a few games of solitaire, a puzzle spread out on the table, or a long chat with a neighbor.
If I could go back in time and talk to the version of me that was waking up a sleepy son at midnight for a car ride, I’d tell her one thing: “Lighten up.” I would tell her to have a little more fun and not carry the weight of the world so heavily.
Since I can’t change the past, I’m choosing to listen to my own wisdom today. I am loosening up. I am enjoying all that I have. Today, I have two beautiful grown children, a stronger body, and a passion for living each day happy, content, and completely present.
My fingers are typing away, and the next chapter looks bright.
YouTube Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/tvG-1FyCeOY?feature=share
Peppermint Paper 