Namrata is a 48-year-young woman who believes life truly began at 40, when she started a new chapter in a new country after navigating significant health challenges. A former mommy blogger with more than 1.4 million blog views, she speaks five languages (though food is her love language) and finds joy in travelling, hiking, volunteering, making friends, and supporting others along their own life journeys.
So, one day, while browsing on Facebook, I came across an ad for Sole Sisters Ramblers. I was off work at the time and thought of joining to stay active and connected.
Not knowing what to expect, but having always loved walking and hiking, I signed up.
Then I was introduced to the Chatting and Ramble Announcement groups on WhatsApp, which confused me initially and took me a while to get my head around.
There was an announcement for a ramble in my city—a walk along a trail. I invited my soul sister from another city to join me.
She was never an early riser, but we made it on a fairly cold morning, with me wearing a thin tracksuit with warmers underneath. The ladies were surprised that I was warm enough with no jacket or warmer clothes on.
My friend and I looked like the youngest in the group, and at first, we felt we were in the wrong place. I confirmed the age limit with Betty, the Sole Circle Rangler, and we just made the cut by being over 45 years of age.
We moved to Canada eight years ago at the age of 40, when it is not as easy to make friends. Though I have always been lucky to have been blessed with just the right people at every age and stage of my life, Sole Sisters was just what I needed.
I always wondered how I would stay fit and active after the boys flew the nest and I grew wiser (I detest the word older).
When I met all these young ladies, who claimed to be wiser and were mostly retired, I was surprised to see that they all had the energy and vibe of 20-year-young girls. They could put anybody that age to shame with their joie de vivre.
They prove that age is just a number, and it was heartening how they let us into their Sole Circle.
I attended a few Rambles with them, including one on an elevated trail where I was about to give up in the first 15 minutes, as my lungs were about to pop out of my body while I gasped for breath.
The young ladies ahead of me, strutting their way through it, made me feel ashamed of my stamina and fitness level. I just followed them and was glad to have completed the hike. They inspired me and motivated me to keep going.
Then, life happened, and I got a full-time job.
I keep reading the Ramble Announcements during the week, and I honestly look forward to what I dreaded most about living in Canada... retirement.
I can now rest assured that my biggest fear of growing old by myself is just an illusion.
I cannot wait to retire now and find my own tribe with the Sole Sisters.
Because after all, "There are no strangers in the world, only friends to be met"
This is my first blog here, and I just posted my first Ramble too. I look forward to many more years of Rambling and making connections for life.
READ MORE > Impact, Rambler Cafe Blog
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