A big birthday…

Well, gotta say it’s not every day that I turn 40.

I’ve said before that approaching this big birthday, I wasn’t at all worried. I was grateful to be able to celebrate it because plenty of people I know haven’t had that privilege.

That was until my sister rang this morning and said: ‘Just think about what you’ve achieved in forty years!’

That took me back a bit, before I snorted and said something like: ‘Gee, thanks, wait until I say that to you.’

The day started so incredibly – the kids DIDN’T argue! How rare and beautiful was that gift?

I made myself a coffee (from my brand new coffee machine that my AMAZING BFF friend actually gave me) and opened the door to sit on the patio to quietly contemplate the day… When I found a parcel on my patio. Someone had snuck in during the night (good thing I didn’t hear them, because I would have freaked out!) and left it there.

This little figurine above was given to me my my BFF, Carolyn. Now if any of you have read the acknowledgements in my books, you’ll know that Cal is there every step of the way for me and we’ve been friends for over half my life (I can say that now, because i met her when I was nineteen.)

If you have a friend who is just as incredible as Cal is, maybe these words, which are engraved on the figurine could be for them.

Because you see me clearly

and because I see you.

Because you inspire me to love deeply

Because you celebrate my courage yet nurture my tender pieces

Because you are my memories

Because you always know what to say

(and when to listen)

Because you know my heart

Because I know yours

Because we are side by side

Heart to heart

In this life journey

Because I count my lucky stars for you every single day

Of course everyone’s lives have ups and downs but I know how  incredibly lucky to be turning forty. I’m loved and I love. I get to hug my children and my friends, I get to see beauty in everything that is around me, every day. I get to write and talk to people I otherwise never would have met and get to live in wide open spaces.  For all of this I’m truly, truly grateful.

Now, I’m off to do a ‘Rocket’ and have a coffee in the sun.