It's been said, "Sixty is Nifty"! I'll be putting this to the test in just a little over a week. 

Since my grief journey began 5 years ago celebrating birthdays, New Year’s Eve, even my graduation in 2022 felt like luxuries I couldn’t emotionally—or financially—afford. It became easier to let those days pass like any other. This is what felt safest. 

But this year feels different. I'm so ready to celebrate the gift of life. The beauty of serving others . 

Maybe because I’m different.

Older, but wiser.

Bruised, but healing.

Wounded, but still carrying on.

I’m beginning to think celebrating isn’t about having the life I expected.

Maybe it’s about honoring the life I have.

It’s about looking back at every impossible season and quietly saying,

“I did that.”

“I survived that.”

“And I’m still here.”

And maybe a little holy irreverence, too. When life insists on throwing ugly punches, perhaps the best response is to meet them with beauty—and, whenever possible, a healthy sense of humor. There is such freedom in this! 

This different-than-planned life has taught me more than the life I once imagined ever could. It’s teaching me to show up despite heartache, choose presence over perfection, and live with fewer regrets and less worry.

Maybe that’s the real gift of sixty.

Not finally having life figured out…

But finally learning to simply be..

So here I am!

This is me. 

Almost Sixty.

Surprised to still be standing.

Grateful that I am.

Ready to make new memories.

This isn’t exactly the life I dreamed of, planned for, or worked toward.

Somehow, it’s become the life that has shaped me and I'm grateful for every beautiful, brutal, and brutiful moment . There is such freedom in that part of it all!!

So, this week, this month, this year. I'm gonna create a little nifty