There’s something about stepping into a parade that feels bigger than the moment itself. Maybe it’s the energy, the music, the crowd… or maybe it’s what it stirs up inside you.
Walking (and twirling) in the Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Parade wasn’t just a fun experience, it turned into one of those sneaky life moments that hands you perspective when you least expect it.
Because somewhere between the batons, the smiles, and the slightly chaotic rhythm of it all… I realized:
This wasn’t just a parade.
It was a masterclass in life.
Here are a few lessons I’m taking with me:
- Support from other women hits differently (and we need more of it)
One of the most unexpected and beautiful parts of the day? The incredible warmth from the Fillie Membership walking alongside us and the Derby Princess Float.
The moment we walked up to the float they cheered for us, encouraged us – it was a welcome that took me by surprise. We were all on the same team but us twirlers were new to the parade this year. Their excitement, smiles, cheers and encouragement were priceless.
It reminded me of something powerful:
We don’t need to compete - we need to connect.
Especially at this stage of life, there’s something so meaningful about women championing other women. It fills a space that comparison never could.
- If you can’t hear the music… just go with it
There were moments I had no idea what the music was doing. Unfortunately we had a band behind us. Our boom box could not compete.
Was I on beat?
Was I… not?
But here’s the thing: we kept going.
And isn’t that just life?
There will be seasons where things feel out of sync. Where you don’t have perfect clarity, perfect timing, or a perfect plan.
You have two choices:
Freeze… or flow.
Spoiler: the magic is in the flowing.
- You’re never too old to do something that lights you up
Let’s just say this plainly:
Women over 50 twirling batons in a parade is not something you see every day.
And maybe that’s exactly why it matters.
Because somewhere along the way, society quietly suggests we should start shrinking - our goals, our energy, our willingness to be seen.
No thank you.
Doing something you love, especially something that once made you feel alive, isn’t “cute for your age.”
It’s essential.
Joy doesn’t have an expiration date.
- Confidence isn’t about perfection - it’s about participation
Were we perfect? Absolutely not.
Were we having the time of our lives? 100%.
Confidence didn’t come from nailing every move - it came from being willing to show up, be seen, and maybe even laugh at ourselves along the way.
That’s a shift worth making in every area of life.
You don’t need to have it all figured out before you start.
You just need to start.
- The things that once intimidated you can become the things that empower you
If I had told my 15-year-old self that one day I’d be twirling again - in a parade like this -I wouldn’t have believed it.
Back then, fear and self-doubt were louder than anything else.
But time, growth, and a whole lot of inner work have a funny way of changing that.
The very thing that once made me question myself… became the thing that reminded me who I am.
That’s what growth looks like. Not avoiding the hard stuff - but coming back to it stronger.
At the end of the day, this parade wasn’t about batons or choreography or even the crowd.
It was about showing up.
It was about joy.
Connection.
Courage.
And a little bit of “I’m doing this anyway.”
I think we could all use more of that energy in our lives.
So, whatever your “parade” looks like right now…
Go all in.
Even if you can’t hear the music.
