Stacie Valdez

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING YOUR AGE?
At 67, I embrace my age. I am happy with my life, and with the woman I have become, which brings a certain peace.

DO YOU LIKE BEING 40+?
So many decades of my life have been about discovery, development, and defining myself as a mother, wife, professional educator, and woman. A sort of “restlessness” was a constant companion. My 20s were filled with decisions regarding career choices, family options, and next steps. My 30s were a period of discontent, a period of questioning – is there all there is – about life. In my 40s, this restlessness began to settle as I embraced myself and accepted the woman I am without apology.

WHEN IN YOUR LIFE, SO FAR, HAVE YOU FELT MOST CONFIDENT, AND WHY?
I felt the most confident when I graduated from college and later earned my master’s degree, the first in my family to accomplish this. I felt confident because I proved to myself that I could set high goals and accomplish these goals through hard work.

WHAT BRINGS YOU THE MOST JOY AT THIS AGE?
Without a doubt, my family, especially my husband, five children, and five grandsons. I am happiest when we are all together, which doesn’t happen often. I am retired and have more opportunities to travel and visit family. I am grateful that I have more time to devote to my family.

WHAT IS YOUR SUPERPOWER?
I’d like to think my superpower is that I see authenticity and potential in people (children, friends, students, colleagues …) and uplift them at every opportunity. I honor their individuality without condition and build lifelong connections from every walk of my life. I am fiercely loyal and support them while retaining my honesty and authenticity.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
My proudest moments are not my accomplishments but what I have encouraged others to do and witnessed their success. If I leave any legacy, I hope I leave the people in my life with confidence in who they are and pride in all they have accomplished. Nothing can limit their potential. I hope I have been a role model in this regard.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE?
Books and more books. I have been a prolific reader since elementary school when I was introduced to a library. Books for learning, books for enjoyment, books for self-growth, books for peace of mind.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
This is a hard question because my treasured possession isn’t a thing. I treasure my family – nothing has more value in life than my family.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING YOU HAVE CHECKED OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST?
The ocean: the water, the clean air, the lulling sound of the waves. On my first visit, I felt a sense of peace that had been absent in my life.

WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS?
Having all my family together: safe, healthy, and happy.

WHAT IS A TRAIT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF?
Resilience to face life’s challenges, learn from mistakes and move forward.

WHAT HARDSHIPS HAVE YOU ENDURED THAT YOU FEEL HAVE MADE YOU STRONGER?
I consider hardships as lessons, and as a life-long learner, the lessons have made me a stronger person. I have faced hardships of poverty, divorce, miscarriages, deaths of my father, sister, and brother, and diagnosis of a chronic autoimmune disease. Each hardship has changed the trajectory of my life in different ways.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
I would tell myself to trust my instincts and tune out the noise of others’ opinions.

DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR YOUNGER WOMEN?
Believe in yourself, set goals, embrace challenges, and learn from setbacks to find the strength to move forward.

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO OR FAVORITE QUOTE?
“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.”
~ Albert Camus

This quote gives me the fortitude to deal with whatever life throws my way. It reminds me that I have a positive strength that gives me the tools to overcome adversity.

WHAT DO YOU MOST VALUE IN YOUR FRIENDS?
Authenticity and honesty.

HOW DID YOU CHANGE OVER THE YEARS?
As I have faced challenges in life, I feel I have become more confident and calmer when facing adversity.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I am an extremely private person and an introvert. I would like to be more open with people.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS?
I hope future generations become more accepting of differences in others and realize that diversity strengthens us as a family, country, and human race.