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What happens when you wake up one day and realize a 26-year marriage has reached its breaking point? This raw, reflective episode explores the challenging journey through divorce in your 50s and the unexpected wisdom that comes from starting over during life's "final third."
Walking away from nearly three decades of shared history isn't a decision made lightly. After concluding everyone in my family would be better off if my marriage ended, I filed for divorce—then promptly lost my job. It seemed like rock bottom, but turned out to be the foundation for rebuilding a more authentic life.
Through this personal story, we explore three critical principles for navigating major life transitions with grace and integrity. First, how to show up authentically for people even when your heart is broken. The social contracts we maintain with others don't disappear during personal crisis, and our character is revealed most clearly when everything falls apart. Second, the importance of counting the true cost before making life-altering decisions. While my divorce brought significant losses—friendships, church community, financial stability—sometimes the cost of staying in an unhealthy relationship outweighs the pain of leaving. Finally, the transformative power of committing to personal growth during life's darkest chapters.
When I realized I'd lived roughly one-third of my life before marriage, one-third married, and was now entering my "final third," everything shifted. This perspective gave me clarity about what I wanted next: a balanced partnership without drama or control issues, where we could simply "be awesome together." Whether you're contemplating divorce, recovering from one, or navigating any major life transition, remember—you're still a miracle, and it's never too late to make things better.
