“Birthdays need to be celebrated. I think it is more important to celebrate a birthday that a successful exam, a promotion, or a victory. Because to celebrate a birthday means to say to someone: ‘Thank you for being you.’ Celebrating a birthday is exalting a life and being glad for it. On a birthday we do not say: ‘Thanks for what you did, or said, or accomplished.’ No, we say: ‘Thank you for being born and being among us.’“
Here and Now by Henri Nouwen
It’s been a bumper birthday week! Thank you for all your wishes.
I received a card in the post all the way from Bufallo, NY. I’ve had calls and messages from friends and family near and far. I’ve been sung to IRL and on WhatsApp by some very talented people – and some not so talented, but equally enthusiastic.
I got a bag of thoughtful gifts from my family in Hull, including a card decorated by KL-M, my littlest niece. (see photo, left).
Let me know what you think? I wasn’t sure if the illustration on the envelope was molars or hearts. Hubby says hearts.
I received a box of 14 wine bottles from my parents-in-law, though I asked for one!
I got earrings and a beautifully-written card from Hubby (words are my love language) and we went out to dinner at Sam’s Riverside for a delicious steak.
Happiness complete.
The thing is, I’m a 1974-built gal.
In the shipping industry, all floating things are female and a lady of 47-years-old is considered almost scrap.
I mentioned this to Hubby on the morning of my birthday and he reminded me that 2 old girls of my very vintage were recently sold to new owners, and are now being repainted, overhauled and repurposed by their new owners.
So, lets give a HAPPY BIRTHDAY shout to:
Monohull jack-up barge ‘Fugro 1200’, now renamed ‘Haven Sea Challenger’. Built 1974, 50 x 24m deck, weighing in at approx 1,000 DWT, and with 55m legs.
Long-legged lass!
Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) ‘Josef Mobius’, now renamed ‘Westford’. Built 1974, 117 x 19m dimensions and weighing in at 6,475 deadweight tonnes (DWT).
She’s a beauty!
I’m encouraged to hear that these two old gals are getting makeovers, starting new jobs and heading for exciting new horizons.
It’s never too late …
SMALL PRINT
P.s. We are leaving for Iceland on 6th July. It’s going to be a bit of an epic adventure. More on that next time.
P.p.s. I’m half way through my Certificate course in Counselling Skills and loving it. But my latest assignment involved actually doing a videoed counselling session with a friend, and suddenly with an actual person in front of me with an actual problem, I was flummoxed. Think my video was an epic fail. I’m hoping and trusting that, like these old rust buckets above, I too, will still be able to reinvent myself and that I’m not past it 😉
P.p.p.s. I start uni in mid September! Meanwhile I’m trying to ween Hubby off me. We have a super duper colleague who is stepping into my role 95% … she say’s she’s excited.
P.p.p.p.s. IRL stands for ‘in real life’.
P.p.p.p.p.s. Hubby and I leave for Iceland early Tuesday morning. Our first proper holiday in 18 months. It’s going to be an all-singing, all-dancing, glacier-walking, horse-riding, puffin-watching, geothermal-bathing holiday. Details and photos will follow.
P.p.p.p.p.p.s. Travel is easier (and safer) when #fullyvaccinated.
Nyamazela 