I think that birthdays are kind of meh. Nothing compared to when I was a kid, that they’re amazing! Party, family, friends, gifts and cake guaranteed for the entire week. But turning forty is something like a milestone, right?!

Not because of that old saying that life begins at forty, but because it’s another decade that I’m here, joyful and lively, on Earth.

memories are forever

In 2006 I lost a close friend I had known since I was a kid. We studied together and then we grew up together. We lived on the same street, we shared experiences, laughter and friends. His family was normal compared to mine, and as a bonus I had three brothers and a dog. He was the oldest of the three boys and would also turn 40 this year. He was killed in a robbery in January 2006.

Every year that passes, I think it’s one more year without him and I wonder what he would be doing if he was still here, what would be his appearance and I even imagine that he would be very anxious to see in the cinema the new version of Power Rangers!

And in those dark days that eventually happen,  I think that at least I’m living here and I feel it’s kinda my duty to live my life and enjoy every ray of sunshine, every wind blowing, every new landscape that I have the privilege to see, because he is not here to do these things.

This year also had a lump in the throat extra: first time I have a birthday without my grandma around. The feeling is very strange, like a little piece of the puzzle that has been lost and never will be back back.

So

I even thought: ugh! 40 years already! But then I remembered that not everyone I loved came so far, so I swallowed the mimimi, put on my Wonder Woman clothes and got ready for another year.

“To deny your age is to deny you’ve survived.”  – Nikki Giovani

p.s.: The card was gift from my friend Carol, and of course, I loved it! 😀