Let's Rock and Roll Birthday Girl! $65 - a Dollar for Every Year!
Growing old[er] disgracefully and proud of it
Wow! What a weekend! I have just celebrated my 65th birthday and boy, was it fun! It started gently with a family gathering on Saturday with children, grandchildren, dogs and close family members all milling around in the conservatory. Finger sandwiches, quiches, salads and fruit kebabs (or kebobs as they are known in our house) were served, topped off with a delicious birthday cake brandishing a pink, glittery sign of a golfer underneath the two big numbers shouting ‘Happy Birthday.’
I was showered with gifts and was made to feel like a Princess. Gathering the clan together only tends to happen at weddings, big birthdays and…well, I’m not even going there. Not yet, anyway. I have a whole lot of life left in me yet. If any of you missed my post last week,
I spoke about clearing out my closet which was quite a cathartic experience. It was almost like de-cluttering my life. More of that later.
After the genteel family party, Sunday was a more sophisticated affair. Well, that was the idea, anyhow. Guests arrived in the afternoon, all bearing the most beautiful gifts, ranging from fantastic flower arrangements, spa vouchers, bottles of champagne, and many, many more lovely things. One gift from a friend and her husband was $65 to put towards my road trip to the US.🇺🇸 Such a thoughtful gift and I can’t wait to put it to good use when in the US of A in September.
Another friend gave me a poncho (which she bought to match my convertible car) for when I have the top down, and a book that she thought I should read to ‘check out the competition!’ Again, most thoughtful. My daughter gave me a beautiful necklace with a tiny rose and forget-me-not flowers inside. Cue emotional tears that I can no longer hold back.
Inside the card:
1959, according to the card above, was a pretty varied year with ‘Dense fog brings chaos to Britain’ kicking the year off and the average wage being £534.94 - a year! That would not cut the mustard for a week now, but then you could probably have bought a house for £1,000 back then. According to my parents, who sadly are both no longer with us, I was born at Easter and was an Easter bunny gift. That’s what they used to tell me and it made me feel special.
I am overwhelmed by the kindness and love shown to me, not only on my special birthday but throughout my life. I have been through some pretty tough times but through thick and thin, my family and friends have been there for me. I am humbled and honoured to have such a wonderful support system around me. Back to the party, I hear you scream! No more tears, even though they’re happy ones.
Raucous, loud and lots of laughter accompanied the canapes and champagne which were served throughout the afternoon. The caterers left, the wine came out and we had a blast. My husband walked, or should I say supported, two friends who were staying over and had booked into the local hotel, back to their rooms. After sweeping up several broken glasses, mopping up spills and crumbs, loading the dishwasher and falling into bed exhausted, I was tired but so happy. Catching up with ex-colleagues that I had worked with over 47 years ago. And we’re still good friends!
Another very thoughtful card, knowing about my affinity with books, was this one and I did indeed have a fairy tale of a birthday. The card was accompanied by a beautiful scented candle called Persian Thyme which has scents such as Oud, reminiscent of my time spent in the Middle East. I love it. Thank you to my dear friends. I know you will be reading this, so know who you are.
I honestly felt as excited as a schoolgirl. Seeing all of my family together and then celebrating with my friends the following day, was a perfect way to celebrate my 65th birthday. But wait…
What’s this, I hear you ask? I know. I am deeply flattered that some of my friends (I had another 60th card) thought I was only 60. I put it down to a good skincare routine which I began at the tender age of 17. Ladies, buy a good moisturizer! Honestly, it’s probably just luck that I inherited some good collagen genes. Thank you Mum and Dad. I wish you could have been there today. It would have been the icing on my cake.
This card was from a lovely lady whom I have only known for five years or so, but we just clicked when we first met. As well as being a kind and good friend to me, she is also one of my biggest advocates when it comes to championing my writing. Thank you, my friend. I know you will be reading this, so you know who you are.
My house looks (and smells!) like a flower shop and there is hardly enough room to put all my cards up. It was indeed a birthday to remember and I am so glad that I took the time to organise the two birthday parties.
My actual birthday was spent on Kington Golf Course, the highest 18-hole golf course in England. The views were spectacular and the birds were singing all the way around, while clusters of woolly sheep constantly chewing, stared at us nonchalantly, utterly unimpressed. We enjoyed a light lunch back at the clubhouse then home to shower and change before we enjoyed a fabulous meal at The Riverside, a restaurant we are lucky enough to live close to. When we got home, another spectacular bouquet of flowers was waiting for me, courtesy of my colleagues in the office of the law firm where I work part-time. I was blown away.
Most of my milestone birthdays have come and gone. I celebrated my 40th in Saudi Arabia, my 50th in Dubai, my 60th in Herefordshire (at home) and the latest one. Honestly, I don’t feel any different to when I celebrated my 40th all that time ago. If anything, I feel more confident and self-assured.
De-cluttering your closet is no different to de-cluttering your life. I have learned to say no to things I don’t want to do, and not feel guilty about it, and to push myself to do things I would normally dismiss. After all, I figured that I have far less time ahead of me than I have behind me. And I am looking forward to packing so much more in before the time comes to hang up my pen. But I can’t ever see that happening.
If you have a milestone birthday looming, my advice would be to kick off your shoes and party, party, party! Have a ball and enjoy every moment. Let’s grow old(er) disgracefully together. Let me know what milestone birthdays 🎂 you have celebrated in style. I want to hear all about it!
In the meantime, have a wonderful Easter break.
Happy egg hunting!
Happy birthday, it sounds like a lovely party!
Happy 65th, Rosy! I don't remember mine too well, but I think I had a nice time! I will be celebrating my 85th later on this year!