Sparkle After 50

What do you do when your travel plans just fall apart? You had something fun planned with someone you care about, everything ready, and then last minute it just doesn’t happen. That’s exactly what happened to me recently. I had a trip planned to go see my son in South Carolina. Tickets were bought, bags were packed, and I was so excited. I even had this idea to drive over to Charlotte because I’d never been there before and thought it would be a beautiful city to walk around and have lunch.

Then life stepped in. Severe flooding in the area made it impossible to go. I had to cancel my trip at the very last minute. At first, I thought, okay, no big deal. I’ll just stay home, clean, work on things, maybe tackle some projects. But as I settled into that day at home, I started thinking about the last time I had been with my son, and that reflection turned out to be such a gift.

When I had packed for the trip, I took one backpack, a bathing suit, three days’ worth of outfits, pajamas, and a smaller bag inside for all my essentials like wallet, phone, glasses, and shades. I had it all ready to go and I remember just feeling this excitement to get down there and see my son. And even though I didn’t get to go this time, thinking about that day brought me back to all the little moments we shared that made it so special.

During that visit, because we couldn’t drive to Charlotte, we explored a little closer to where he was staying. We went to a beautiful museum about 45 minutes away and then discovered this adorable little zoo in Columbia. I remember telling him that one of the best zoos is right here in Omaha, but it’s always fun to see new places. We spent hours there just enjoying the animals, looking at the aquariums, and laughing together.

Later we went to a little restaurant, and I got to try fried green tomatoes for the first time. Honestly, I don’t know if they’re always that good, but wow, they were amazing. And everything else we ate in South Carolina was just as good. I think southern cooking deserves a special shout out because every single meal was just lovely and made the experience even sweeter.

The next morning, we had breakfast at the Egg and I and then decided to explore a bit more locally. That’s when we found a swan park. I thought, what is a swan park? But once we got there, it was just breathtaking. Beautiful swans, peaceful trails, and a calm that you can’t help but feel. We walked for a while and then sat down on a bench looking out over the water. There was a little island in the middle of the lake with a big tree, and at the base of that tree, there were two turtles.

That’s when my son did something that just made me laugh and warmed my heart. He started imagining what those turtles might be saying to each other. He gave them full dialogue, creating this little story right in front of me. I remember sitting there, completely present, listening and laughing, and feeling such a sense of peace. That simple little moment, just two turtles at the base of a tree and my son’s imagination, really brought me into the present and reminded me of the beauty in quiet, ordinary moments.

And that’s what self-care really is. It’s not just about doing something fancy for yourself. It’s about quieting your spirit and noticing these little moments that bring joy, connection, and peace. It’s about being present, right here, right now, and letting yourself feel that calm in your heart and mind. It’s in watching the turtles, in listening to your child’s laughter, in enjoying the simple pleasures of life. That’s where real peace lives.

So when your plans fall apart, don’t rush to fill that space with busyness. Take a moment. Pause. Notice what’s around you. Even a tiny moment can be a gift. That canceled trip reminded me of this in a big way. I didn’t get to go to South Carolina, but I got to remember those little moments, celebrate them, and remember that peace is always available if you just slow down enough to see it.

Take a moment today for yourself. Notice the little things. Find your turtles, your swans, your moments of laughter. That is self-care, and it’s the kind that lasts.