BESTSELF™ ICEBREAKER | Dreams 22
FAST-FORWARD 20 YEARS ... WHAT DOES LIFE LOOK LIKE NOW?
Let’s start by welcoming my final year of my 70s. What a hell of a ride it’s been!
Life continues along its positive trajectory - with just enough pain and challenge to make the joys more meaningful. Every day can’t be filled with sunshine and lollipops, but I have to admit, for the last 20 years, many of my days have been lovely, remarkable even.
My health became my priority in 2023 as a result of my wanting to go to Tuscany to walk in the steps of St. Francis of Assisi with Colette Baron-Reid and a small group in April of 2024. That was the start of my serious journey to better health. Once the first chunk of weight was off, I found it easier to move, and as more came off, I was less winded and able to join the local tennis and golf clubs - and, yes, of course, pickleball. Now weight isn’t an issue. I’m not slim by any measure, but I am healthy, strong, and flexible.
I finally finished my numerous shitty first drafts and have an extensive collection of well-written (and edited) stories enjoyed by many. I continue to write for a few hours every day and am often distracted by the characters' actions in my head. I’m always making notes in my ever-present notepad or iPhone. I never thought to publish, but upon the instance of my lovely writing coach, and friends who read the stories, I found the perfect agent who found the ideal publishing house. I’m currently in the middle of novel #14. Not prolific by any stretch, but it’s 14 more than I thought I’d write!
The best decision of my life was moving up to Southampton from Oakville. This is the longest I’ve lived in any one single place, and I’m so grateful. I’ve made some incredible friends over the years. It took time to get out of my own way and out of the house. The first couple of years, after Covid-19, were rattling. I greatly enjoy the small-town life - entertainment at the bandshell, walks along Fairy Lake, lunch with girlfriends, volunteering my time and talents, events at the Legion Hall, the piper at sunset at the flag pole all summer, the visiting citiots (of which I used to be one!), book clubs, potluck dinners and games nights at various homes, evenings at the fire pit, it’s all so wholesome and unexpected - still, after 22 years! The town has grown by leaps and bounds but continues to maintain its quaint and welcoming vibe.
After a few years of renovations, my home is exactly what I want it to be. My greatest joy is to sit out on the porch, no matter the weather, and watch the sun slowly set over the great Lake Huron. I was able to buy the property next door and have put four additional buildings on it. The kids each have one - two master bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a great room in each. When they’re not here, I run women’s retreats for small groups - a maximum of 12 participants. I have a wonderful community of talented friends: writers, painters, woo practitioners, chefs, musicians, and more, who come up from the city or are local and teach a couple of times each month from Thursday evening through Sunday afternoons. I have built a wonderfully supportive collective of brilliant women who bring great joy to my life.
Somehow the Universe saw fit to send me the most wonderful partner to keep me well-loved in this back half of life. He gives me just enough space though our days for me to focus on my activities, he does all of the cooking, and he’s an adventurous travel companion - he even had us jumping out of a plane! His laugh is rich and warm, reaching his eyes; his hugs envelop me making me feel safe and secure; his support of me is unwavering; our conversations are always fun, informative, and often surprising; and his confidence balances my more introverted tendencies. I am beyond blessed to have him in my life, and I do all I can every day to let him know how much he means to me.
I am overjoyed with the addition of seven spectacularly energetic grandchildren who visit with their parents throughout the year. Even better, I get 2-weeks with each set every summer. It’s important to me that their parents have healthy marriages, so to help, I give them each 2-weeks every summer to have some kid-free time together. Sometimes they travel; more often, they enjoy the quiet of their own homes and the company of their friends - and catch up on sleep! The kids enjoy “Camp LeeLee,” and I enjoy getting to know them on a deeper, more meaningful level, with no one around to edit them. They are all such lovely creatures. And my lovely creatures continue to thrive in lives they built for themselves. I’m immensely proud of each of them.
It’s hard to believe that my life didn’t really start until my late ‘50s, but start it did. I live in joy and gratitude daily.
(Summer Solstice dreams all written down!)