Fabulously 40

Celebrations are part of life and I’m one of those quintessential Leos who believe in the larger-than-life theory. But I’m also the lioness who believes that my heart is in my home and my friends are my treasure. My cubs are my pride and the lion may give me the rule of the land. But at 40,I learn not to mock it or take it for granted,rather to appreciate all that I have.

Most people never have enough and are in the never-ending game of finding and wanting. While I only agree on the quest for knowledge,I vehemently abhor material obsession. Of course I like the good things in life and I have spent several weeks in New York City only scouring Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue,with little or no interest in anything but Donna Karan’s latest collection. However,today I could never imagine myself doing just that. Which is why,I honestly feel the best is yet to come.

With all its advantages,I can’t imagine hiding my age and certainly hope to learn from my mistakes and not repeat them. I pray for good health and good times,and I recognise that I will be shouldering a lot more responsibilities. My family has already stopped saying,“Let it be,she’s a baby!” They now firmly look at me and say “You are a grown-up woman; act your age!” (And it’s only been a week since I celebrated the big 40!)

Hopefully,I’ll act my age,never feel it and may the spirit never die — for I wouldn’t know what to do without pink balloons,pink champagne and a room full of friends singing “Happy Birthday”. They say you are lucky if you can count your friends on your finger tips — I say I’m lucky my friends far out-count my fingers,and my toes.

I’m happy to say that I was lucky to spend time on my birthday with people I have known for 40 years or with people I would like to spend the next 40 years with. I hope I can say the same at 50,about the same people. For good friends and a good husband are hard to come by and if there is one valuable lesson I have learnt in the past 40 years is to hang on to both. Little else matters. Laughter and positivity keep the mind and body youthful; ditch the plastic surgeon.

I do hope I can endorse this a decade later,but don’t hold me to it.