Pieces of Me: A Quarter Century and a Few Surprises

Most of the blogs I write focus on caregiving, aging, families, and the experiences I've had through Kayla Cares.

But there is more to me than caregiving.

That's what this series is for.

Pieces of Me is a collection of personal stories, reflections, lessons, and experiences that have helped shape the woman behind Kayla Cares. Some posts may be funny, some may be serious, and some may simply be life updates.

Unlike my regular blog schedule, there is no set timeline for these posts. They won't be posted weekly or monthly. They'll simply appear when I have something to say, a lesson to share, or a story worth telling.

So, with that being said, here's the first piece of me.

My birthday is in a couple days, and I genuinely can't believe I'm about to be a quarter of a century old.

Some days I still feel like I'm figuring life out as I go. Other days I catch myself running a business, paying bills, and wondering when exactly I became an adult.

Recently, I took a trip to Texas because of a family emergency. While the circumstances weren't ideal, the trip gave me something I didn't expect: time to reflect.

One thing I realized is just how much I miss the western lifestyle.

I grew up in Wyoming. I wasn't just around the western lifestyle—I was right in the middle of it, usually causing a little bit of mayhem. Rodeos, horses, dusty roads, county fairs, and long days outside weren't things I visited occasionally. They were simply life.

Being back in Texas reminded me of that part of myself.

The boots, the ranches, the rodeo culture, the people, and even the pace of life felt familiar. It felt like reconnecting with a piece of myself that I didn't realize I had been missing.

I also learned a few things about myself.

For starters, I apparently enjoy the boardwalk.

That one surprised me.

If you know me, you know I'm not exactly a water person. In fact, water makes me a little nervous. But there was something about walking along the boardwalk, listening to the waves, feeling the breeze, and watching the world slow down for a little while that I found incredibly relaxing.

It's funny how life works sometimes.

You can spend years thinking you know yourself, and then a random trip teaches you something new.

As I head into another year of life, I find myself feeling grateful.

Grateful for my family.

Grateful for my clients.

Grateful for this business.

Grateful for the people who support me.

And grateful for the little surprises that remind me there's still plenty left to learn about myself.

Here's to 25.

And here's to whatever comes next.

— Kayla

Kayla Cares LLC
Where personalized care meets the comfort of your home
📞 605-510-7952

Providing trusted, compassionate care in the Black Hills.