Kelly Clarkson has broken her silence nearly a month after the death of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock.

The singer took to social media for the first time in weeks to mark the 23rd anniversary of her winning the first season of American Idol . She thanked everyone who voted for her and shared how the moment — which happened September 4, 2002 — completely changed her life.

Clarkson included a photo of her winning moment, in which she's surrounded by her fellow contestants as red, white and blue confetti fall.

"To everyone that took time 23 years ago to call in and vote for me, thank you," she writes in the caption. "Winning American Idol changed my life and I will be forever grateful for all of you that have supported me for so many years."

"It is a gift to find your purpose

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