Celebrating New Chapters for Women Over 50

I’m mentally singing along with the Pointer Sisters (remember them?) …I’ve Got A New Attitude!  I am feeling uplifted, encouraged and inspired this week, after a few weeks of allowing myself to get dragged into the doldrums.  Sometimes I hear other women talking about ageism and discrimination of those who are older, and it causes me to think, perhaps my opportunities are over.This week encouragement has arrived on the fresh breezes of spring and one of the reasons I am encouraged is by watching other women soar.  Women like my friend, Kelley Frost.  She is an amazing woman who is an example of how we can do anything we put our minds too.  After her youngest graduated and headed to college, Kelley returned to college to get her PHD.  Her thesis was actually on opportunities for Women 50+ and I learned so much reading it.  She has a heart to help those with mental health issues and is a counselor.  However, she also had another passion deep within her.

“As a counselor, I work with clients to help them explore their passions and dreams. The questions I asked others kept coming back to me, and I realized I had another chapter in life to pursue. Returning to a childhood memory where I loved creating house floorplans, coupled with all the work I’ve done with friends over the years, motivated me to open my own store filled with things I love. My grandmother had an antiques shop, and my uncle had four furniture stores in Oklahoma; this is practically the family business! My husband gave me a James Avery charm of a wingback chair for our first wedding anniversary years ago, so I finally gave myself permission to turn a lifelong love of furniture and home décor into a business.

As an aside, I’d been thinking about this idea for several years and walked out of Paloma Blanca Restaurant in August to see a “For Lease” sign and decided to call. Not only was the leasing office my current landlord for my counseling practice, but I later found out that the brick used on the building came from the old State Mental Hospital. Those puzzle pieces showed me how much God meant for me to be there. I look forward to donating 10% of our sales to mental health causes as a means of supporting the work of great organizations in our community.”

Her store hosted a grand opening last week and I am not surprised.  She has exquisite tastes and has always been a premiere hostess when overseeing events.  Attending the grand opening was last week was almost like visiting a museum.  Each piece selected with purpose has a story behind it.  Of course, many stunning women over fifty attended the grand opening and joined with me in singing the praises of the store.

Kelley walked up behind me, and whispered, “It’s all about new chapters…right?”  She gave me that all knowing smile as we had shared our dreams and visions for this second half of life.  There is nothing we can’t do if we set our minds to it.  Remember that.  I am rejoicing over that very fact this week and facing the future in search of my new chapters.

For those in San Antonio or visiting the area, make sure you visit FROSTED HOME, 5800 Broadway, Suite 101.  Is anyone else starting or considering a new chapter?

Let us know……………..and, remember to

KEEP SMILING!!

24 Comments

  1. Wow. Really needed to see this today Pam. How encouraging and indeed uplifting. It came at a good time as I’m going through a very difficult trial at work with no end in sight (other than retirement). Features like this are certainly a positive in my day! Thanks for sharing Kelley’s story! Better days are ahead!

  2. Pam, please tell me that I am not crazy believing that ageism and discrimination is a reality for many women at work. For a long time I thought I was being sensitive. A month ago I walked out of a job that was literally killing me emotionally and physically. It was the most liberating and scary act of my life. The crossroads I am facing are exciting. Which road is decided will be better than staying stagnant and “safe”. Life is too short to be miserable. Being away from that environment has lifted a two ton weight off my heart. My 60th birthday is this year and it will be embraced as a great blessing from my Heavenly Father! Thank you for all your efforts to create a blog that is so informative and refreshing for us ladies over “50”!

  3. Loved this article! You have a way of encouraging women in so many ways! I live in San Antonio and will definitely be planning a lunch at a special place Paloma Blanca Restaurant and than I will head over to visit Kelley’s dream store at Frosted Home. I love how she has never given up on her dream and how she is giving back to helping her community! Love women such as yourself and Kelly that are such examples of embracing our lives to the fullest!

  4. Congratulations on continuing to follow your dreams and live life fully.
    Thank you for sharing and for inspiring others. 🙂

  5. I loved this story! And I love your blog. The past few years has been a season of renovation for me. At 53 I took a leap of faith and quit a “good” but unfulfilling job. 3 months later I landed one that offered educational benefits and enrolled in classes. I am now just a few credits shy of my bachelors degree (a lifelong dream). And for the first time in years feel like I’m headed somewhere with purpose and intention and not by default. Stumbling onto your blog was divine providence. I’ve been following you for a few months now and always feel inspired. Thank you for sharing this and your own story.

  6. These kinds of stories just go to show that age is just a number, not a definition of who we are or can/can’t be at any chapter in our lives—love it!

  7. That’s right, Karen…better days a head. I am glad this gave you some encouragement.

  8. Sue…I 100% know exactly how your felt and are feeling. I do believe ageism exists, but the good news is that it does not exist eveywhere. There are always new opportunities…we just have to work a little harder to find them. Thanks for you kind words.

  9. You will love her place, Teresa Ann….allow a little time to read and appreciate the stories behind her selections. And thank you for the encouragement for me! I love to bring you stories of inspiring women.

  10. Lyndee, CONGRATULATIONS! I love your story and am so proud of you for going back to school! I am thankful you are here.

  11. Congratulations to Kelley for following her dreams & seeing the subtle signs from God. I retired eight years ago, & for about six weeks worried over everything under the sun. I wondered if I had done the right thing & prayed that I would be given a sign confirming my choice. I was reading a book & fretting that I shouldn’t have spent the money on the book. Suddenly, a sentence leaped off the page, “God doesn’t give us permission to worry.” There was my sign.
    In the past eight years, I have been by husband’s side during his kidney failure, dialysis, & subsequent kidney transplant & his heart attack. Had I been working, I would not have been able to give him the care he required. I truly feel that is why I was given the opportunity to retire at 55.

  12. Thank you for sharing, Becky. Sounds like you were doing exactly what you were meant to do. How wonderful you were there to be with him through all of this.

  13. This post is so inspirational! I turn 60 this year and I am looking forward to the future — which I must say has a lot to do with reading your blog, Pam!! Thank you, Pam, for being that supportive and inspirational voice for so many women!!

  14. Wow, Pam! Thanks for such a nice story! I really do believe in new chapters so am thrilled when my journey can encourage others to follow their dreams. Your blog helps keep these positive vibes flowing, so keep it up! Blessings to you and all those over 50 and feeling 40!

  15. Even feeling more blessed than ever at 70! Thank you Kelley for allowing me as an artist to be included in your dream!
    May God richly bless this new chapter!
    Carylon Killebrew

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