My friend Lisa is a rock star. She never was before, but she is now. I’ve been watching videos of her jump on bars and belt out Aerosmith with a band behind her, and the crowds who come to watch her yell and cheer like crazy.
I’ve known Lisa since high school, and her rock star era has only happened in the past 2 years. In fact, in the 30 or so years I’ve known her, she really never sang much in public. I heard her sing once when we were in our 20s and, in total shock, I said to her, “Wow, you should sing!” But she wasn’t so sure, and then she went on to have a family and a life and responsibilities, and singing wasn’t a priority.
Around that same time, I laid awake one night as Lisa was in Philly, in the final round of Eagles cheerleading tryouts. I was probably as nervous and excited as she was. I wanted it – for her – so much.
My phone rang at 2 am, and it was Lisa telling me she made the team. I can remember how happy I felt, how this sense of joy, this sense that the change would be so great for her, swept over me. I was certain a new beginning was exactly what she needed.
And then I watched as she got married, raised three beautiful sons, travelled with her husband, supported their family’s successful business, stayed in touch with friends, cared for her mom and made sure everything was good and everyone was happy.
But now…
Now her sons are adults, and her marriage is strong. The business has grown, and her friends have multiplied. Yes, everything seems good and everyone seems happy.
So now…what happens now?
I think many women who have been at this point can understand that a time comes when you look around and wonder what you’re supposed to do now. Who are you supposed to be when all the supportive roles you played for decades may not be needed as much? Everything is different, and you’re standing in the middle of it all trying to figure out your next step.
For Lisa, the next step was a jump on stage with a mic in her hand.
The first time I saw an Instagram reel where Lisa was belting – BELTING – “Dream On,” I thought “What is happening?” She was dressed in leather pants, a fringe jacket and had a pink streak in her long blonde hair. I knew how well she could sing so I wasn’t surprised, but I was shocked that my friend, after all these years, was reinventing herself.
It isn’t something you see often. Many times when women and men are at a turning point in life, they freeze. The go sit on the couch. They get stuck in a quiet everyday that always feels like something is missing. And they start to think this new phase in life will never be as good as the last.
But I got to see someone I love demonstrate for us all how exciting life can be at any time, at any age. Lisa showed me that whenever you decide to take a chance, when you flip your hair back and hold a note on stage and it makes an audience go crazy, the time that has passed doesn’t matter. Only the right now matters. And no matter how crazy your wildest dreams might be, right now is a great time to make them happen.
So like Lisa says: Dream on.
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