A few weeks ago I was heading to an out-of-town meeting with a colleague. During the drive we got onto the subject of spouses, family etc. When it came my turn to share I mentioned the fact my husband and I had, in recent months, started the reconciliation process after having been separated for 13 years. My colleague was astounded at my situation and mentioned he didn’t think he had ever heard of such a thing happening after so long and marvelled at the fact my husband and I would even be willing to entertain the notion.

I met up with this same colleague last night and he mentioned he had thought frequently over the past month about our conversation. He was still astounded over my situation and offered all good wishes for things to go well. He also mentioned that in thinking about my situation, he was looking at his marriage and realizing there was a definite feeling of change for the better within his household yet he wasn’t quite sure he could put his finger on what the change was.

I offered this…….ever since I turned 50, it’s as if weights/worries/stress has been steadily rolling off my shoulders. Like walking through a door into a new time in my life. It started with a realization I didn’t want to spend my ‘second half’ in the same state of angst as I spent much of my first half. I’ve learned to let my children be the adults I helped them be. I’ve learned that it enriches my life to have people of different personalities, backgrounds and outlooks on life as friends and companions. It’s perfectly okay that someone else does my laundry and folds the towels differently then me…the laundry’s done…yipee!! I feel so much more relaxed and happy which has, of course, allowed me to open my heart and mind more to all the possibilities around me.

Mostly I’ve learned that Freedom 55 isn’t about financial freedom. For me, it’s about the freedom that comes from realizing I’m finally the person I looked up to all those years ago.