I guess I'm 62 now, and my kids are all grown and gone, which is a good thing, really, that's what you want right? For them to have their own lives. But for the last like, eight years, I was taking care of my mom, and before that it was mostly about the kids, you know, school stuff, driving everywhere, making dinner. And now... well, Mom passed away a few months ago. And I loved her, I really did, but it was hard. REALLY hard sometimes. And now it's just... quiet. My husband works a lot, and I spend my days doing what I always did, keeping the house nice, but it feels different now. Empty, sort of. Like, I always thought my purpose was being a mom, a wife, a daughter who helps out. And I did all that, I think I did it pretty good. But now I'm just... me. And I don't really know who that is, if that makes sense. Like, who am I *supposed* to be now? It’s not like I’m going to go get a job, I haven't worked outside the house since my youngest was little. And I don't really have hobbies, not serious ones anyway. I mean, I watch my shows, I like to read a bit. But it’s not the same as having people NEED you, you know? It’s just weird, feeling this... relief, that Mom isn't suffering anymore, but also this huge hole where all that stuff used to be. Like, my whole schedule, my whole reason for getting up sometimes. And I feel bad even saying that, like I'm complaining. But sometimes I wonder if this is just what happens to women like me. You spend your life making sure everyone else is okay, and then one day you look up and everyone's gone and you're just... there. And you don't really know what to do with yourself. Like, what's next? Is this it? Is this all there is? It’s a scary thought sometimes, late at night.