Turning 40rty!

 

 

I was wide awake at 3.30 this morning excited like a little kid at the prospect of birthday cake and the candles to blow out later. It got me thinking 40 is a milestone birthday, I know we joke about it being the new 30’s and your only as ...old as you feel – but really I’m a good chunk into my life. So my brain has been spinning thinking about all the things I have done, achieved experienced so far and in my reflection I know we all dream about having an endless supply of money and material wealth and all the other stuff we covet, who doesn’t? But the stuff of importance? Is the people in your life. 

 

 So I think this is an ideal opportunity for me to celebrate the people in my life past and present. I have a beautiful sister and brothers who are talented and driven and I couldn’t be more proud of them. My family although many of you are far away I know I belong. My mother Nicole, kind, tenacious, beautiful, I am your mini me…. My fantastic friends some of you new some of you old, whom I share unique and special friendships with sometimes they make me laugh so hard it makes my belly hurt and I shed a few tears, we can talk endlessly, I dance till my feet hurt and stay out till all hours because really I’m still a rebellious teenager, they understand my need for solitude but are there if I need them and have taught me that its ok to show vulnerability I don’t always have to be the strong one. Some special mentions – Cristina thank you for taking the time to take all these photos of me, Susan my pen pal from across the pond, I might never meet you but your always in my heart, Michael I think of you fondly when I have success at work you gave me shove in the right direction to go out there and give it a go, Filiz I’m sure we are sisters but they keep forgetting to tell us! Sue I want to be like you when I grow up your so full of life! I love you all and I am lucky to have you in my life.

But lastly and most importantly who would have thought a holiday cover at the Elmer Lodge all those years ago would have led me to call Beckenham my home? Damon Warner my husband, I love you more than I could ever express, you have taught me the most, made me a better person and given me peace and for that alone today is a day to celebrate.