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Yay – I Get To Be A Year Older! And Other Thoughts on Turning Forty

Birthday candles

No, that header is not sarcastic. Those of a cynical disposition who would prefer not read a soppy post, please look away now…

I turn forty this month and I’m absolutely thrilled about it.

For various personal reasons, I have always been aware of how lucky I am to be alive. I mean, we’re all lucky to be alive, but I very nearly didn’t make it out of babyhood (having been born with a literal broken heart, I was saved by a wonderful NHS cardiology department) and, without wishing to be too vomit-inducing, I’m so happy and grateful for my life and that I still get to be living it.

Rather than worrying about ageing (let’s face it, there can be few less-productive things to fret over), I’m truly celebrating. I get to be forty: I’m so blinking lucky!

I adored my thirties and so many amazing things have happened to me in the last decade – both personally and professionally – that it is only natural to feel a little sad at waving it goodbye. However, I have every intention of making my forties just as enjoyable and fulfilling. More time with family and friends, more writing, more travel and fun and nice food and reading good books!

Perhaps I have an unfair advantage; I was the child who couldn’t wait to grow up, the teenager who always wanted to be older, the woman in her twenties who ran joyfully into the arms of marriage, mortgage and motherhood. I have, frankly. always been middle-aged (reading, radio four, comfortable shoes, saying ‘gosh’) so it’s quite nice to be at the ‘right’ stage for my natural inclinations.

Hooray!

 

 

 

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8 responses to “Yay – I Get To Be A Year Older! And Other Thoughts on Turning Forty”

  1. Wayne. Avatar

    Happy Birthday for whenever the actual day is, Sarah! And, here’s to being born Middle-aged – I totally relate to that. I hit the big 4-0 in April and my mid-life crisis is shaping up to be ‘nurturing a new-found addiction to board games’ and ‘becoming obsessed with my FitBit stats’.

    1. Sarah Avatar
      Sarah

      Thanks so much, Wayne! I have always loved board games (more evidence for my early-onset middle age!) and we were given a brilliant one at Christmas – Cosmic Encounters. Have you played it? (I also love and highly recommend Settlers of Catan). Happy ‘big birthday’ year to you, too; hope you have a good one.

  2. Judy Grivas Avatar
    Judy Grivas

    Blessings on your Birthday!!

    I’m a bit older than you, but like you am grateful for where I am (68).
    Two years ago I had a major heart attack, and the birthday I celebrated some months after that was truly a celebration!
    It’s a wonderful feeling to appreciate where we are in life.

    1. Sarah Avatar
      Sarah

      Thank you, Judy! Sorry to hear about your heart attack but glad you are feeling happy and grateful for where you are in life. Very good wishes and hope for many more celebrations for us both!

  3. Carl Markham Avatar
    Carl Markham

    Hi Sarah,
    Well ‘they’ say that these days forty is the new twenty – so you just go ‘back in time’ honeyhead – and ENJOY! I’ve always maintained that it’s only numbers anyway,or as Mae West infamously said “You’re as old as the man you feel, darling” and by all accounts she appears to have felt a lot! – but she did live to a grand old age so she must have had some magic formula.Anyway, enjoy your day when it happens, and hope the weather is favourable – it does appear to be on the turn now, so all good wishes – you deserve the BEST!

    1. Sarah Avatar
      Sarah

      Thanks so much, Carl! The sun is shining today which makes a welcome change!

  4. Dana Evans Avatar
    Dana Evans

    A very happy belated birthday 🙂 I am 5 years ahead of you – and fully enjoying my 40s. Love your attitude. Life is precious – enjoy it!!!! And keep writing your wonderful stories!!!

    1. Sarah Avatar
      Sarah

      Thank you for that lovely comment, Dana! I’m so glad you are enjoying your forties – hurrah for positivity!