June 1, 2026 - The Summer of Building
June… ahhhh, how can it be already? I think of our house last year at this time… how much quieter our home is now… and how much quieter it’s about to get. Everyone talks about the sadness of your kids all being out of the house, on becoming an empty nester… while I completely understand why, I've decided that's not where I'm going to place my focus. No sadness!
Last month our schedule was FULL… and looking at our June calendar, we are wide open! It’s strange… the changes are real, and they come with very real emotions. BUT… instead of focusing on what's ending, I want to focus on what's beginning.
After all, these are new chapters for all of us! And while it’s been wonderful to watch Alivia and Maci continue into their adult lives… watching them pursue their education, careers, relationships, adventures, and dreams of their own, the goal was never to keep them close forever, but raise them to spread their wings and build lives they love. And taking a front-row seat to watch it happen is the ultimate parenting reward!
As excited as I am for them, I'm hoping to focus on the space that their new chapters have created, also as a time and place for me… a space to continue healing, to grow and get back to a better version of myself. I plan to take this summer as an opportunity to really focus in the healthiest way possible. I know that's easier said than done, but for me, June 1st is close to summer as it gets… and it’s time!
As moms (and dads), we tend to put everyone else's needs ahead of our own and when we take time for ourselves it sometimes feels selfish… and definitely comes with guilt. I’ve very much felt that guilt over the last nine months. I know taking care of myself isn't something I should ever feel guilty about… but something I should make a priority. I tell myself over and over… You can't pour from an empty cup… and believe me, my cup has been empty more days than I care to admit in recent months. If you're not taking care of yourself… physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually… eventually there's nothing left to give the people you love, the people who depend on you most. Becoming the healthiest and strongest version of myself doesn't just benefit me… it benefits everyone I love. This summer feels different… it’s time!
The last year really challenged me in ways I never expected. Between surgeries, injuries, recovery, and learning to navigate limitations I never imagined, I spent much of my time thinking, overthinking and just watching the hours go by. This summer, I want to focus on becoming stronger. I want to rebuild my confidence. I want to rebuild healthy habits. I want to rebuild routines that make me feel like the best version of me.
Another big part of this summer is figuring out what comes next for me professionally. Still unemployed, for the first time in my adult life, I not only still do not have a job to report to every day, but zero plans on what direction I am headed. If I'm being honest, that's been scary, unsettling and freeing, all at the same time. I really miss having a place to go, to get up each morning and show up to, to have people to work alongside, and have work that challenges me. I've also learned through this unexpected “life pause”, I'm not interested in just finding another job… I’m interested in finding purpose. I think a lot about purpose. After everything the past two years has taught me, I want to be intentional about where I invest my time, energy and talents. At 50 years old, I know I still have a lot to offer, but I'm no longer willing to say yes simply because an opportunity is available. The last year has really given me a lot of perspective. When I return to work, I want it to be something that matters, something that allows me to serve others, make a difference, and feel completely fulfilled at the end of the day. I know… crazy talk, wishful thinking… but I really want something that aligns with who I am becoming, not just who and where I have been. So yes, I'll be picky… not because I think I'm above any certain job, but because I've learned that life is way too short to spend our days at a job that doesn't bring purpose, meaning or happiness. So for now, I will continue to rely on my faith… and trust that the right opportunity will come at the right time. Until then, the focus will be building… building my health, my confidence, my strength, and my vision for what this next chapter might look like.
This summer will not be about perfection. It will pretty much be about anything but perfection! This summer will be built on one small choice at a time… one short walk, one healthy meal, one good book, one quiet morning, one intentional day at a time…
Life has a way of changing us, sometimes good, sometimes bad. Sometimes it’s meant to build us… and sometimes it’s meant to break us down… and sometimes it gives us the opportunity to rebuild. I believe this is my rebuilding season… healing, continued growth and becoming. Not because I need to become someone different, but because I want to become more of who I was always meant to be.
So here's to finding our new normal. Here's to embracing change. Here's to cheering on our daughters as they build lives they love. Here's to letting go of what was and being excited about what comes next. And here's to a summer of building.
