Thinking About 47

I turn 47 later on this week.

I’ve always been OK with aging. I enjoyed celebrating my 40th, I’m sure I’ll enjoy 50. 

As I reach my mid to late forties, I do see that I’m different. Older.

My treatment has no doubt kicked forward the aging process too, I know my body wasn’t ready for these changes just yet. 

But I’ll focus less on what I see in the mirror and more on how I feel.

I feel glad to be celebrating another birthday.

I am very grateful to be here, turning 47, and I hope for many more birthdays.

I’ve always liked my birthdays, I do feel like the day feels different from every other day. I think back on what I was doing on this same day over the years, some I can remember very clearly, some I haven’t a clue! 

I remember my 10th I went for lunch with my mum and my friend and I had a black onyx ring. I remember my 15th I went bowling with my close friends. I know for my 16th I had a purple ‘Suede’ t-shirt (I’m talking Brett Anderson here, not the fabric). I celebrated my 30th down in Devon with the Husband, my brother and his wife. My 32nd I was pregnant and in a zoo in France, with those same people. I was hot! For my 40th the Husband bought me a gorgeous bureau for my stationery. 

Many birthdays I was in zoos or book shops, those are the places I tend to treat myself with. 

Last year wasn’t the best of celebrations, as I was just a few days post-op. 

I was wearing surgical stockings and it was so warm last year, I was so hot in those stockings. I was also having daily injections, but my birthday treat was that I had my last one that day – such a treat! I was managing to get out for a walk each day, just a mile or two, as the heat and my surgery were slowing me down. I had a house full of cards and flowers, both birthday and well wishes, and honestly, I was happy that day. I saw my mum, ate cake, sat in the sunshine. Little things, but things I didn’t take for granted. I didn’t dwell on where I was in my treatment, not that day. 

This year, it really doesn’t matter what we do, because I’m here, I’m not recovering from surgery, and as far as I know, I’m cancer-free. The bar is set quite low, most days can beat that! 

I think I might pop to a book shop. I don’t need any books, but when has that ever stopped me from getting new books? It’s my happy place, so a book shop, cake for the Husband and perhaps a movie and a takeaway with the kids. Low-key, sure, but it’ll make me happy.

This is 47 and I’m here for all it’ll bring. 

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