Dear Family & Friends,
This year I will turn 40. When I was a kid, I never
visualised myself beyond the 30s. That’s as far as it goes for all the exciting
things to happen. Your education, romances, beauty, career, marriage and babies
all happened within these first 30 odd years. What happens beyond this point,
I’ve never really thought about it. My impression is things start to go either
plateau or downhill from here.
By 40, the number of your children is more or less fixed.
Your career, if you still have one, will be stable and it is likely the one you
will have to stick with for the rest of your life. The only think you look
forward to growing is your bank account and children. Hopefully your waistline
does not follow the trend...;p Is this what life after 40 is all about? I really
don’t know. If we are lucky, we’ll probably have another 40 more years on this
earth. What do we do with it?
Currently as a housewife, I have not much care or worries beyond
what is the next meal to cook and my children’s welfare. The working people would say that
we are lucky, we can stay at home and “do nothing”. Yes, many a times, when I
looked at the morning peak hour traffic, I thank God that I don’t have to beat
that to report to work. But other days, I wondered how I should gainfully
occupy my time when the children are in school, besides grocery shopping, housework, PPS.TV and
Facebook?
Still, comparing other women who are 40 around the world, I
guess I’m lucky to be 40 and in Australia. It was a choice I made 5 years ago,
to leave my career, my family and friends in homeland and come to Australia. I
must keep reminding myself why I made that decision. Sacrifices were made but I
gained a lot as well. I just cannot measure it in monetary terms that’s all.
With this coming birthday, I hope to rejuvenate my life
again. It is the beginning of a new chapter. I’m going to write it as best as I
could. Even though I won’t grow prettier or younger, I want to live life with a
purpose and with energy. I believe my future is still to be crafted and if I am
determined, I will make something good for myself and my family.
To commemorate this milestone, I've had a few celebrations with close friends and my family. Fun and food we had but it was the feeling of friendship and love that I most appreciated. Birthdays are really a time to give thanks. I thank God first of all, for His mercies and grace everyday. I do not
take for granted the blessings I have each day, just being alive and being
together with my loved ones. And to all the people, over the past 40 years, especially
my parents, family, siblings, relatives and including ex-classmates, ex-colleagues, my friends in Singapore and Melbourne, who have left your kindness in my life. You have
accepted me, accompanied me, helped me and guided me. Without you all my life would
be less interesting and meaningful. This birthday, I want to say “Thank you folks for
being part of my 40 years of memories!” I wish all of you blessings and good health always!
With Sincerity, Love & Affection
E
