Part 2- Cheers to 50!

Today is the start of the second half of this journey in my life.

Approaching 50 I didn’t really know how to feel. The main feeling was disappointment that 50 years of my life is over but I’ve come to realize is that those 50 years have been amazing. I’ve overcome and persevered, I’ve had life experiences, good and bad, and learned many lessons from them and more than anything, I’ve sought out and found the person that I’m really meant to be. I thought at this point in my life I would be more grounded and I’m surprised that I’m still learning but I’m proud of what I have accomplished and where I’ve come from.

I’ve raised a beautiful family that continues to amaze me and make me proud, and keeps growing. That I know, without a doubt will always be my single greatest accomplishment, regardless of how many years I live. I also understand I’ll keep raising you until my very last days and that is how it should be.

I found a wonderful man to love that understands me, helps me to see what’s important and pushes me in the direction to find it. I am so grateful for you.

I have everything that I need in my life.

I look around and I’m surrounded by beautiful friends and family that appreciate me and value me for who I am and allow me to be me (both those that are with me today and who are not). And lastly (because I’ve learned that it truly should be last), I built a career that I’m proud of doing work with meaningful to me.

The most important lesson I learned this year is that my identity does not come from what I have or what I do, but from who I am. And I’m proud of this.

It’s ironic that I’m seeing 50 from Puerto Rico because it reminds me of the struggle that was my life 30 years ago, that some things have crumbled and been left behind and the others are brand new and I’ve never seen them before.

I call this part too, because the first half of my life was spent learning and growing in the second half will be spent enjoying and taking in every moment and I’m blessed to be surrounded by all of the people that I want to be in those moments.

Cheers to the next 50!