07/22/2026
Over 40 Series: Meet Cynthia, 49 - Pharmaceutical Order Processor, Former Teacher, Mom Cynthia was born and raised in the Philippines, where she built her early career as an elementary school teacher for ten years. Life there was steady and teaching was fulfilling, but it left little room for things like travel. Marriage and two children shifted her priorities, and eventually she and her husband decided to move their family to Canada, where new opportunities and new challenges awaited.
Settling into Canadian life, Cynthia tried daycare and summer camp work, but the environment felt different than back home. She moved through a series of jobs that led to positions in small pharmacies. Those steps eventually took her to Shoppers Drug Mart, where she has now worked for close to a decade in order confirmation at a central site.
Cynthia's values have shifted in her 40s. She worries less about what others think and tries to find something good in the bad. People tend to see her as calm and composed. Looking back, she wishes she could have been more aggressive in decision-making when younger, and more vocal about her thoughts and feelings.
With her children grown, she enjoys travelling at least once if not a few times a year—her kids still come along sometimes, too. With her friends, Cynthia is like an entertainment coordinator, always finding concerts and events to attend.
Looking forward, she wants a comfortable retirement, more travel, and a place in the Philippines of her own to travel to. On turning 50 she says there is no big change; she feels young in spirit even if her body protests.
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