What's another year?

A sunny day today - just the usual weather for my birthday. Indeed, it does make me feel good on my birthday. Always! The dark thoughts usually come before or after (never mind the weather!), but on a sunny 4th March I'm just fine. Go figure...

George and I went shopping together this morning, and for a coffee afterwards. Then brunch (we never ever manage to take breakfast like "normal" people...), followed by my chocolate birthday cake. Yummy! An especially nice touch was the idea to leave out the number of years we're celebrating.

Oh yes, and my dear sister phoned from Berlin. She came up with the idea that we should have a big party for my 50th - and promised to come to Gozo for that occasion... that subtle hint rubbed it in better than any number on the cake could have done!

So this is it: 47 years in this world. That's quite a long time. It would be less depressing if one didn't have to be reminded at every corner how quickly time is passing by. Not to mention one's inability to simply forget certain numbers and dates! I can't even forget that my first schoolday was 19th April 1966... weird, that!

In all honesty, I don't feel 47 - as a matter of fact I couldn't put into numbers how old I feel. When I came to Gozo for good I was 25 and I don't feel that much older now. Not even much wiser, although I've learnt a thing or two but nothing much in terms of earthshattering discoveries you expect to make when you think of the future at the age of 18!

Tonight we're going to have dinner at XiXi in Xaghra. Chinese cuisine at its best! My son asked me if I minded him not joining us... Well, what could I say? I reckon, that's where the real sting of ageing lies: Suddenly our kids aren't kids any longer!

Thanks to all my great friends from cyberspace who sent me messges, mails and cards. This one from Wade stands for my good mood today!