Day 365 of being 60

The milestone of reaching 60 or any round number later in life is a time to reflect and be grateful. Today is my last day of being 60. Tomorrow I will be 61. Just another year......

Early on in my 59th year I decided that my children and family is where I wanted to be to celebrate the BIG 60. The challenge is that my children live worlds apart in Thailand and London. In April of that year I received what sounded like a Nigerian scam call. After asking many questions about me, my mother and requesting my ID and email address it seemed as if there was a lost policy lying in a suspense account at Liberty. My Mom had died two years earlier, this had not appeared on any searches and there was no correspondence among her files about this policy. Hence my apprehension on this call. To cut a long story short, this policy was real and the four siblings each received a wonderful gift . I felt that this gift was straight from my mom for my 60th and that I would use some of this money to celebrate with my family.

I jetted out in late November of 2016 just a month before my 60th. I spent a wonderful month with my family there. The gift of time spent is for me the best gift in the whole world. Noiy was busy with a team from Montana, doing many Christmas concerts at schools, I enjoyed watching Daniel on the soccer field and spending time with my precious Naomi. I was grateful to also be there to see that Bronwyn's health was improving and so grateful for the gift of life.

Late in December, I flew from Bangkok to London. Just in time to attend the nativity year end service at school and to see Emma and Chloe at school for the very first time.

Sarah and Justin planned a wonderful surprise 5 nights in France for Christmas. We were hoping for a white Christmas but this did not happen. We were in a tiny quaint french village and enjoyed a very special time together.

Another surprise was next for me. My sister, Carol who lives in the USA, paid for me to pop across to visit them for 5 nights. What a special time this was. As if on order on day two I woke up to a winter wonderland. I was able to spend time with my sister Carol, my brother in law Brendan and my two nephews Ed and George.

Back to London for my last few days and my actual birthday  Spoiled with an afternoon high tea at a beautiful hotel near by.

This time away was wonderful and everything I wished for. Time with my family making memories. This memory and time will remain with me forever and so glad I made the decision to step out and do this.

I arrived home on a Friday morning and my local friends had decided that a celebration was needed at home as well. Thank you to all who came and contributed to making this a very special occasion.

The climax was not yet over. In 2016, 5 forever friends who had been at boarding school together in 1970 made a decision that we wanted to spend 48 hours together celebrating our 60th year. This happened in April in Cape Town. Much laughter sharing memories and making new ones. Thank you Cheryl for coming all the way from the US to celebrate with us.

There were many other celebrations during the year. I love to treat each day as a day to celebrate life.

So tomorrow I will no longer be 60- I will be 61. Another year older and hopefully a little wiser.
Life for me is about family and friends and my love for Jesus. Through Refirement Network I help others discover their passion and purpose and this also brings me great joy. Discovering these simple joys are the gifts that I treasure.

Thank you to each and every person who contributed in some way to my year.
We never know what lies ahead. Don't delay. Live life to the full and make plans to share, care for and love one another.

I look forward to the new year of being 61.