40

birthdays come every year.

some are called big ones.

i have just had one of these.

it was grand.

this much i know is true....

1. i am loved

2. i like turning 40

3. maturity must be setting in, as 20 and 30 had me resisting with my whole body...

4. i am blessed

5. there were 38 people with me to celebrate ( i will say 40 as my kids are always with me even when they can't be at the grown up cocktail party)

6. i received wonderful gifts from such generous friends and family

7. i am a lucky duck

8. i think the world is now spinning just a little bit faster

9. it is very hard to put all your favourite music onto an ipod for a 6hr party (what about the other 12hours that i like?)

10. vanilla & chocolate cupcakes suit everyone

11. writing the speech in my head every night b4 i went to sleep meant that when i sat down to write it it was easier

12. it was easier to give a speech when most of the emotion was left at home

13. i am very grateful to the relationships in my life

14. it was a hot night with colourful balcony views

15. fireworks make any night truly magic

16. i am challenged by making lists

17. i know more at 40 but still feel a lot like that 17year old version of myself

18. i love love, kissing and gazing into my beloved's eyes

19. we must travel, around the world, to our own hearts, it doesn't matter where, only that we go...

20. i still have a friend from kindergarten, the street i grew up in and some from high school

21. family is important, sometimes heart wrenching, but necessary

22. life is not like in the movies, very often...

23. faith & hope can be tricky

24. i am a learner, a seeker of knowledge

25. christmas can start after my birthday

26. Let go, let God

27. some stories never end

28. i am often surprised

29. laughter is the best sound, a smile is laughter to your eyes

30. remember to love, forgive, communicate and love even more

31. sorrow will come, but thats ok too

32. celebrate every chance you get, especially the ordinary moments

33. having a child is the most wonderful and heartbreaking thing i have had the opportunity to do in my life, twice

34. i am a mother and i help make miracles

35. life can make you tired

36. friends are for reasons, seasons and lifetimes. i feel fortunate to have had every one.

37. i am creative, hard working and playful

38. i have dreams...

39. look for sparkle everywhere, twirl when an opportunity arises...

40. tomorrow is another day...

*

Blasting from the past....

i was pleased to receive an invite to a 40th birthday party from a woman who i spent a lot of time with when i was a teenager. in the 2weeks leading up to the event i thought about our good times, looking at photos, reflecting on memories of that time. i really interested me to catch up with long lost friends from that era. we have all grown up, yet remain the same.

our essence really doesn't change very much over time. eyes stay the same. hearts are more warn. but arms were open this morning for a birthday breakfast, which celebrated a lovely person.

it is true that people are in our lives for a reason, season or lifetime. yet those parameters are not that simple. as i get older i realise people can be in your life for a lifetime, but not in a static way. and thats ok. i have grieved some friendships, as it felt like the relationship died, the person gone. however all that really happens over time is that the energy changes. the intensity reduces, contact diminishes, but the person still comes to mind every once in a while. sometimes it brings a smile. on meeting after along absence a familiarity remains.... fascinating.

life is long. one can't know everybody all the time, but you can know lots of people just for a while. so i'll sit with that, connect when the chance comes around and not fret when friends move on..... until we meet again.

to all my friends who hang in with me, hang on to what we have, and love to hang out together, thank you. what is created when we get together is great, fun, heartfelt and true. i look forward to seeing you soon, dear friend.

sparkle & twirl

*