Life in My 40s: Some Things Changed, Some Things Stayed

Life in my 40s looks quite different from what I imagined. Some things have changed completely. Some things, surprisingly, haven't changed at all.

Four years ago, I lost my father. Six days later, I had a miscarriage. Even now, putting those two sentences together feels heavy.

It was a difficult chapter, and I don't think you go through something like that and remain exactly the same person. Life continued, because somehow it always does.

Today, I'm a mother to an almost-five-year-old — a bright little girl who keeps me entertained, challenged and constantly surprised. Watching her grow has made me appreciate time and the ordinary moments a little more.

I still work my 8-to-5, and amazingly, I'm still with the same organization after 20 years. I still have the same BFF. Some people really are meant to stay. 

But I'm also meeting new people and finding new circles — many of them started as complete strangers. It's funny how new friendships can come into your life when you least expect them.

And one more thing hasn't changed...I still love tea. Give me a good cup of tea and a little quiet time, and I'm happy.

Maybe that's what my 40s are teaching me.

Life doesn't always turn out the way we imagined. We lose people. We meet new ones. We become parents. We grow older. Our priorities change.

And somewhere between being a daughter who misses her father, a mother watching her little girl grow, a working woman, an old friend and a new friend...

There's still me. Still learning. Still growing. Still appreciating the little things.

And apparently, after all these years...still writing my thoughts out