In the chill of the afternoon, my daughter disappears into AE, leaving me eager to escape the cold by seeking refuge in the welcoming embrace of Barnes and Noble. As I step into the vestibule, the array of books on mindfulness and self-reflection captivates my attention. Alongside me stands a petite lady adorned in layers, a long black puffer jacket, and a knitted cap crowning her short grey hair.
Momentarily quiet, she turns to me, her expression a canvas of curiosity, and ventures, “May I ask what your opinion is of these books?”
Little does she know, these books are my sanctuary. With the frosty air lingering, I remind myself to restrain my animated hand gestures, fully aware of my tendency to become fervent when discussing my passions. Keeping my hands by my side, I turn to her and share, “This subject is actually something I’m incredibly passionate about.”
“How so?” she inquires.
“Well, I believe in the importance of self-reflection and being open-minded and willing to grow. We have to spend time asking ourselves what truly brings us joy. We must be intentional about what we want in life and in this year. We have to speak and write what we will make happen this year because if not, we are just walking around without a vision.” I reply.
“Sounds like you know a lot about this. Would you mind if we grab one of those tables over there and talk?”
“I’d love to. I’m CoCo,” I say as I extend my hand.
With a smile, she laughs, “I have an odd name, too. My name is Winifred.”
And in an instant, the rest of the world fades away. For the next 45 minutes, I become an eager listener. I listen to Winifred, a sweet lady exactly 40 years my senior. She shares her fears, her losses, and thoughts on how her family will cope when she is no longer walking the earth. She asks about the vision for my life and my profession. This 81-year-old lady requests to join the group on my website to explore the dreams of others.
I ask her, “If you put aside family, boyfriend (yes, this little lady has a boyfriend, a doctor), businesses—everything, and focus solely on you, what brings you joy? What do you want from this year?”
“Well, that there is the problem. I don’t know what I want. I fear being alone. I don’t know what brings me joy,” she confides.
Our conversation continues until my daughter spots us at the table. Hugging me, she says, “You are a gift. I believe I was meant to find you. Thank you for listening to this old lady.”
We exchange contact information, and later, from the warmth of home, I email her information on an attorney who can help her establish a Trust. Another email connects her with the lady who helped install security in my home. I add her to the group on my website, offering a space for her to connect with other women and discuss dreams and visions for this year.
There’s more to this story, but the reason I share it is to remind you that, regardless of age, regardless of the season of life you’re in, whether you're navigating grief or feel like you’ve lost sight of yourself, there’s always a breath, a moment for change, a moment to map out a plan, a moment to dream and create the vision you want for your life.
Remember to dream big, avoid limiting your dreams, for you'll be amazed at how much the universe, how much God, desires to bless you. Remind your internal dialogue to be kind to yourself. You are wonderfully made. As long as you're breathing and reading this, then God is not done with you yet.
And to my new friend Winifred, your presence lingered in my thoughts last night. I pray the fears you spoke of evaporate entirely from your mind. I pray you find joy and hope. I believe you will discover a heartfelt vision for this year, filled with happiness, renewed energy, and passion for life. I pray you believe it, speak it, write about it, and have a truly life-changing year at 81.
Timeless Connection: Navigating Dreams at 81
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