The Life I Chose
The divorce was brutal.
But the law did not belong to Kenneth the way he thought it did.
I rebuilt.
I worked—finally—on the policies I had dreamed about at twenty-two.
Urban economic development. Real impact.
Julian and I moved slowly.
Carefully.
As equals.
A year later, he asked me to marry him.
Not because I needed him.
But because we were stronger together than apart.
I said yes.
Now I am sixty-three.
I wake up next to a man who sees me.
I do work that matters.
I live a life I chose.
If you are standing in a corner somewhere—quiet, diminished, convinced this is all you deserve—listen to me.
It is never too late.
Not to leave.
Not to choose joy.
Not to be seen.
I chose joy.
After thirty years of fear, I chose myself.
And I would make that choice again.
