Heidi Jeter
Amy told me about her diagnosis a few months before I turned 50. Knowing she likely wouldn't reach her own 50th birthday, I decided to dive into a year of firsts at 50 and to document the journey. I wanted to start my new decade by pushing myself out of my comfort zone. Essentially I was celebrating life by saying "yes" in true Amy fashion.
Over the past seven months I've taken a ukelele lesson; learned to oil paint, make soap and felt wool; gone indoor skydiving with my daughter; created my first vision board; traveled to Vancouver and multiple cities in Oregon; participated in two sound baths; attended a candlelight concert; visited tulip fields; completed my first solo hike; and traveling by myself to grieve the loss of my dear friend with people I had never met.
Saying yes has led to meeting new friends after moving across the country. It's made me realize what I like and, just as important, what I don't like. It is teaching me that I will find strength and connection when I allow myself to be vulnerable.
The second half of life will bring significant losses, but if I am lucky, it will also bring great joys. By saying "yes" I am gaining the inner strength to embrace whatever the future brings and to find the joy in every day.