Everyone can start over. It’s just a matter of deciding to do so. Several years ago, my aunt was divorced after almost 25 years of marriage. As a child, my earliest memories of her were as someone who was carefree and lots of fun. One of my favorite things to do was watch her as she dressed to go out dancing. Her black leather pants, spiked belt, and fierce shoe game were her signatures. She has always been a character of sorts, and as I grew older, I watched that spirit become a bit more subdued. And for me her light seemed to dim a bit.

I think marriage is a beautiful institution, and I was saddened to hear that she and her husband had decided to part ways. What I have seen emerge in the years that followed can only be described like a butterfly coming out of its cocoon. That light came back in a major way. With her children grown, at the ripe young age of 50, my aunt got her groove back. I designed “A Brand New Beautiful You” in honor of Renee, who lovingly bills herself as “Thee Aunt.”

She rebuilt, reinvented, and rediscovered who she was and what she wanted out of her new life. She launched a new business, redesigned her Brooklyn brownstone and flourished in such a beautiful way.

No separation is ever easy; however, I am delighted that she was able to pull together her new and very different pieces and put her puzzle together the way she saw it. My prayer is that she finds love again, and I know that in God’s time, it will happen. But from her experience, I have learned that it is never too late to start again.

Your perspectives have changed, and you’ll have learned to honor yourself and what is in your heart. You stand by your convictions, fight for what matters most to you, and be sure that your voice is heard. But most of all, you will have learned to keep on stepping, no matter what.

Here’s to new beginnings and all of the possibilities that life has to offer.