Happy Saturday night, everyone.
How are you doing on this incredibly cool, breezy, rainy evening? Did you have a wonderful day? Shoot me a text or drop me a comment — I’d love to hear from you.
Today was extra busy for me, and believe me, my boot has been kicked. I’m lying in my comfy bed while writing this note to you. I pushed through a lot of moments today, but I knew things needed to get done… so I did.
This morning started before the sun. Five a.m., a cup of coffee, and a garage full of things I’ve been meaning to deal with for far too long. Our community was having a yard sale, and I figured it was as good a time as any to finally let some things go.
I didn’t expect it to feel like a mirror.
There I was, standing in the cool morning air, pulling out boxes I hadn’t opened in months — things I didn’t even pack myself because of my surgery. Movers had boxed up most of our belongings, so there were plenty of mysteries waiting for me. And what I found were pieces of old seasons, old versions of myself, old stories I didn’t even realize I was still holding onto. As I watched strangers pick through things I once thought I needed, I felt something shift.
Midlife has a way of doing that. It asks you to look at what you’ve been carrying — physically, emotionally, spiritually — and decide what still belongs.
And let me tell you… I have tons more to release.
But here’s the part that surprised me: as I stood there watching things leave my hands, I couldn’t help but wonder how many other midlifers are in this exact place too. Not just clearing out garages — but clearing out expectations, identities, roles, and the weight of years we never paused long enough to sort through.
I was so thankful my dear friend Sandy came over to help. Garage selling is always more fun with a friend. I made a huge dent today, but knowing what still awaits me is a little overwhelming. So for now, I’m trying not to think too far ahead.
I do have a few ideas brewing for all my crafting materials. First, I’ll finish one quilt at a time. Then I’m planning to host a sip‑and‑paint on my back patio. And my dear friend Jan reminded me how much luck she has on Marketplace — so I’m thinking I’ll sort everything into categories and post bundles. One thing at a time. One day at a time.
With Kevin’s wedding quickly approaching, so much of my focus is on him and his big day.
You know, life is funny sometimes. Back in 2024, John and I went to Florida for a week — a gift from my son. We rode around on the golf cart, visited the town centers, listened to live music every night, and met so many interesting people.
Last night, out of nowhere, I remembered a man we met walking into a CVS. He looked at me and said, “Boy, you sure are happy.”
I found that odd because if you’ve ever watched videos about The Villages, they call it the adult Disneyland. So I asked him, “Aren’t you happy? Look where you live.”
He said no. Then he opened up — just a little window into his life. He and his wife had moved there a couple of years earlier, but she passed away. Most of his neighbors were snowbirds, so when they left, he was alone. He shared a few more things, and I couldn’t help but think about how a simple question — “Aren’t you happy?” — turned into a moment of honesty with a complete stranger.
He just wanted to be heard. Nothing more, nothing less.
And today, as I sifted through my own things, I realized something:
We’re all carrying something. Some of us carry grief. Some carry memories. Some carry loneliness. Some carry boxes in the garage we’ve avoided for far too long. Some carry stories we’ve never told out loud.
And some of us — maybe people like me — carry the quiet gift of being able to see it in others.
Last night, as I said my prayers, gratitude came to mind. Not for the life I didn’t have, but for the lessons I learned while living a very restrictive one.
I may have left being a Jehovah’s Witness years ago, but I’ve become a different kind of witness in this season of my life. I never thought I’d be a witness again — but here I am. A witness to the small moments. The tender ones. The ones that stay with you long after they pass.
I haven’t quite figured it out, but people — especially older ones — are drawn to me. They open up and share pieces of their stories, and I’m grateful for that. At first, I didn’t think much of it. But now, stepping into this new business adventure, I realize I’ve been gifted something pretty special. A gift shaped during my decades inside the religion.
As a female, I was taught to be quiet. Silence taught me to listen. It taught me to read people’s energy — something I like to believe was God’s plan, knowing that one day, I’d become a legacy writer.
Today wasn’t just about clearing out a garage. It was about making space — inside and out — for whatever comes next.
And I can feel it… I’m ready for this next chapter. Ready to release what no longer fits. Ready to hold what matters. Ready to witness the world from my corner, with a softer heart and clearer eyes.
If you’re in a season of clearing out — physically or emotionally — just know you’re not alone. We’re all sorting through something. We’re all deciding what stays and what goes. We’re all learning to make room for the life we’re stepping into.
Well guys, it’s time for me to say goodnight.
Thank you for stopping by and spending a few moments with me from my corner of the world.
Love Life++ Hugs,
Dawna — may the butterflies remind you that we are all still becoming 🦋
Love Life with Dawna 