I have heard it said that for all things there is a season. I feel like that is not a concept that is easy to understand as a young person, but in this chapter as I am able to look back, it all seems crystal clear.

There was a time when I would say that certain things were inextricably central to my identity: performing, renaissance faires, singing, entertaining, cooking, working diligently and dutifully long hours in my business hands on. Just typing that filled my soul with feelings of warmth, acceptance and belonging. And yet? Those seasons have passed. The raw truth is that those seasons were ripped from me; those tenants vital to my core being are no longer part of my reality. That is a big, sour pill to swallow.

I think that Taylor Swift made it all more relatable when she defined her life in ERAS. That is somehow far more palatable, and sometimes certain parts of an era make a comeback, so there’s hope for a resurgence of our favorite parts of our history. Looking back now, it is so clear to see each chapter of my life. It doesn’t feel like something is lost, but rather a part of my story. And thanks to technology I am often able to relive some of my greatest memories of these past chapters.

Don’t get me wrong – it is HARD knowing these things that literally defined my existence, I will never do again. But I am still writing the story of my life- there are more chapters to come. Unfortunately, none of us know exactly how many chapters we’ve been allocated, so we must live every chapter fully realizing there is no guarantee that there is writing on the page when we turn it.

Since time is our most valuable commodity, you can tell what’s important in your life right now by what you spend time on. In this phase of my life that is: people, travel and experiences. I have never been one for material things, preferring to taste my memories and share stories of my adventures – both good and bad.

PEOPLE are my lifeblood. Despite becoming more content with a slower pace of life as I age, ultimately, I am still an insatiable extrovert. In this season, that looks quite different than the 6 course, hours long dinner parties I used to throw for my friends – relishing in the camaraderie and conversation. Now it’s gathering with my high school and college friends, performing and work friends, or just those people so ingrained in your history that you cannot remember how your lives intersect. Our gatherings are calmer now, maybe not quieter but slightly less envelope pushing, and still full of life and love.

I find it fascinating that when I look up season in the thesaurus, one of the related suggestions is TWINKLE. Those in my Renaissance Faire community know that the late Doug Kondziolka’s immortal advice to performers the world over was, Twinkle Damnit! I thought my days of twinkling were over when my days of performing ended, but it turns out that my light is twinkling in new ways. Ways that fill my cup and continue to show that my life has an impact on others. That’s all I’ve ever wanted – to change the world. As I’ve aged I realized the best way to do that is one person at a time, which in this current season is the speed at which I operate.

The easiest way to engage with people is to appreciate them! Their struggles, their realities, their victories. I am finding great joy in celebrating other people! I am lucky to have the time now to write letters the old-fashioned way, to share victories and struggles that burden people, and to offer a sympathetic ear in a world that is so raw with emotion that many of us are struggling to find optimism.

I made a video last week offering to write letters to anyone who would like a piece of mail that isn’t junk or a bill. I’ve been greeted by requests from 9 states, some of whom I do not even know! The offer still stands. I’m not asking you to be a pen pal. If you’re life’s too busy and you can’t or don’t want to write back- that’s fine! I just want to send you a smile and maybe a brief moment of peace. You deserve it.

Feel free to send me your address on my Contact page or donate to fund postage on my ongoing GoFundMe. Sending you love and light in this crazy world.