It’s the eve of my forty-second birthday.

It seems I am quite reflective each year at this time, and I suppose, this year is no different.

My mother just called to gasp that I was in fact 42. I’m not sure entirely whether it is at my age or that she still thinks she is 42!  (gotta love Mary-Anne!)

I always love my birthday. It’s just fun! It always surprises and delights and that’s what birthday’s should do! Put you in a fantastic mood to celebrate and smile all day!

2 years ago I was pondering my 40th during load shedding and the reality of the 3rd day of lockdown in Johannesburg. Well look how that turned into a champagne zoom fest over night! I was so hoarse from talking to everyone the world over, it took days to recover.

And my frock still needs a date by the way… just saying!

Last year I had my friends in my new town, Plettenberg Bay and the most fabulous 40.1 lunch party that won’t be easily forgotten! What a day! I still have the music ringing in my ears and picture of the full moon rising through the Milkwood tree.

This year… well just when I thought things might be simple, work will have it that I am going to the bush for the weekend…

I don’t think I have ever had a birthday in the bush… and for this one, I won’t spoil the details!

But what is evident in these forties of mine is that we just never know how things are going to work out, what is around the corner, how the world will respond, where on earth you will be in a years time?! (I don’t even need to mention.)

It’s proving for me that best laid plans get unhinged, last minute ideas become the moments in history, random decisions are life changing, serendipitous posts land opportunity, unimaginable things create real life experiences…

What I am learning; is being open to it, is the new black!

For me, right now it’s acknowledging the wonder of life.

You can’t control the weather… only be prepared for it. So adjust your sales or get an engine. (Mind the fuel price) And your expectations!

Trust me there has been a whole lot of not so easy, that only by GRACE (my word for 2021 that seemingly has a sense of humour as it persists being a reminder) will get me and us through…

And a lot happens in a year… people come and people go. We come and we go. Ebb and flow.

But if you are heading towards what looks like your North Star, well then lap up the birthdays, slap on some red lipstick and smile, even if it gives you happy wrinkles! Because tomorrow it may have been a shining satellite (or drone) and the champagne always tastes better when it’s cold!

It’s time to be 40.two – here we go…!