It’s always exciting reaching another birthday, in part because I am still alive, I have a wonderful husband and two amazing adult children, loving family and friends, and a beautiful home. But it is also amazing because my life has been so rich with experiences, the good the bad and the downright ugly! The wisdom that grows as one gets older is so liberating and offers a sense of freedom that was definitely missing from my own youth. A friend’s daughter said to me some years ago; ‘so that is why you and mum don’t care what you wear when you go out!!’. So cheeky and youthful 
The challenge for us all is to make sure we harness the knowledge available from the bad or ugly experiences, and learn the lessons from them so we don’t keep making the same mistakes. Turning the darkness into light has been the key for me; learning to accept every crisis as a way towards personal growth, and to search inside my soul for ways to be a better person. I am still learning, every single day, and look forward to another year of wonderful lessons from life and finding ways to transcend sadness.
My two sayings, you live until you die, and live every day as if it is your last, just in case it is, constantly remind me to make sure I stay focused on living as well as I can, and that my life is finite, not to be wasted on too much doom and gloom.
The quote I currently use on my email footer is also worth repeating;
The Dalai Lama was asked what surprised him the most.
Man – because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.
And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present,
the result being that he does not live in the present, or the future,
he lives as if he is never going to die and then he dies having never really lived.
My partner is same age. He has regressed and is regretful of a lot of things he has done, but I think no matter how old you are, you can’t go back into, nor live in the past, as it is just that, past, and the future is important.
Yes, happy birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
gosh, is that how young you are,, beautiful as well as smart xxxx
Fifty Four god amazes me how I could fall in love with someone so old. Love you forever your dh xxxx