As I write this, it has been 13 days since I turned 40 and I still do not feel like I am 40. I do not think I have my parents’ wisdom when they were at this age. My parents had everything in control at 40. I feel like I am still wading though life and trying to figure out what I want to do more in life. Adulting is hard.
Even with all the uncertainties I face, there is one thing I am sure I am going to do with my life. I am going to enjoy every minute of it. I am thankful for everything I have. When I think about it, I may look like the loneliest girl in the world: single, orphan, no siblings, no child, no better half. However, God had already blessed me with wonderful parents that all the love they gave me were more than enough to help me survive life without them. I have aunts who stood as my second parents, cousins that treat me like a big sister and friends who support me with all the love and care . It does not matter if they are near or miles away. I never feel alone. Thank you, God! I could not ask for anything more.
With all these blessings, I could not let my birthday pass without a little celebration. We had a simple dinner at home. I invited my friends and relatives over and I am glad they came.
My journal is now filled with happy memories.
The celebration was a family effort. My aunts prepared the house. This meant a lot of cleaning and rearranging.
I also baked my own cake.
My cousin, Baby, helped me bake cupcakes.
Lani came to cook shrimps, sweet and sour fish and dinuguan. My cousin, Alan, arrived early to help with the preparations. My cousin, Arvin, ran errands for me. These people made my life easier so as a reward, I will not subject them to such work every year. No birthday dinner like this next year. Hehe!
My friends made this day special, too. Aside from their presence, I got wonderful gifts to treasure. I got another poem from Wela. She already wrote a poem for me 2 years ago and, now, I got another one. Here is what she wrote:
Happy 40th birthday Kat,
For this you deserve a pat,
For being a true friend to hold,
And for letting God make you into His mold.
We your friends are so much thankful,
For giving us someone who is soulful,
Not someone whom we cannot count on,
But one who is always there to rely on.
One who is artistic and also creative,
Intelligent and at the same time innovative,
What more can we ask for and search?
You’re always there and easy to reach 
So on this special day that you were born,
A prayer is sent your way not to make you cry ‘popcorn’, 
But to let you know how much you’re appreciated,
For all the things you’ve done and orchestrated.
May you live a harmonious life,
Praying that one day you’ll become a wife,
To a man who is well-deserving,
Of your gifts and unconditional loving.
For the mean time here’s hoping for good health,
May you be blessed with more friends and wealth,
Overcome every trial that comes your way,
Be grateful for all the things that you receive each day.
We l
ve you! 
Isn’t that beautiful?
Wela and I.
My friends also planned a little video presentation. The funny thing is that I knew all along that they were going to do this. One friend told me about it beforehand because he thought it was funny that they had a problem who will edit the video since I am always the designated editor for videos. It was funny to see how my friend, Ernelyn, wiggled her way into borrowing my laptop so she could play the video that was sent to her messenger. She said she needed to finish something for work. Ha! Although it was a lame excuse, it was an endearing gesture.
Erns trying to run the video.
Here is the video made by my cousin, Bong. Yes, they got Kuya Bong to create a video for them. The awesome thing is that he was able to get in touch with my high school friends. I was only expecting video messages from our common friends. Like the poem, I will also treasure this video.
And the celebration did not end there. My friends who missed my birthday came two days after to celebrate with me.
A week after, I got this package from Grace.
I feel loved.
I am looking forward to my 40’s. Life begins again and it looks great from where I am now. I am beaming with gratitude and happiness. For those who feared turning 40 soon, it ain’t bad!
What a beautiful post! I never see you as that lonely girl. In fact, I am amazed how you pull it off everyday, beaming with positivity and sunshine. You are an inspiration.
Happy birthday again and once we are 60, we look back on being 40 as one of the best times of our lives. No matter what age, we enjoy it, because we only pass this way once.
P.S.
Sorry my gift was late. I had the best intentions but my personal courier guy encountered bumps on the road to LBC Gaisano 🙂
Thanks, Grace! Little miss sunshine here. It is much easier for me to be positive. I am too lazy to worry about things.
No worries sa late gift uy. You have given me so many advance gifts already.
Happy Birthday! Time is all made up anyway. I still feel like I’m 16 wondering how 10 years have flown by and don’t feel any wiser lol. Great present haul, i love stationary so getting cute notebooks and pens make me happy.
You are so young! Thanks for the bday greeting!
Happy birthday! Sounds and looks like you had a great time celebrating. I’m sure you have things more together than you think.. we tend to be hard on ourselves. 🙂
Cheers, Sarah Camille // SCsScoop.com
Thanks for the kind words, Sarah!
Happy belated birthday!!! I have found my 40s to be absolutely wonderful!!!
Wonderful indeed!
Belated birthday wishes 🙂 you seem to be surrounded with amazing family and awesome memories.
Thank you! Yes, I am blessed!
Happy Belated birthday to you! I can see how much love you have in those around you, what a huge blessing! and what a cute cake you made, i love the sugar flowers!!! Have an amazing year!!
Thanks, Melissa! Those sugar flowers were store-bought. 🙂
That sounds like a wonderful birthday celebration! Happy Birthday and cheers to 40 (:
I am only glad that I get to be called your “friend” ctrl+K! Your’s is a friendship alot of people hope for but only a few people have. There’s a certain magic that happened on those six years and I dare say it got us stuck in a lifetime of fun, laughter, love and more travels together. I am taking you around my fold and there is no backing out. Your loneliness will be my despair and your happiness will be my triumph. Your alone-ness will be my desolation and your laughter will be one of my life’s “to-do” list. I love you and I am keeping it that way. So, no matter how geographically deprived we are from being physically present for each other, bear in mind that I am just a heartbeat away. Happy 40th my dearest ctrl+K!
Oh sweet! I love you, Ayette! I am grateful for our friendship. I will treasure it forever.
So glad you had a great birthday. I totally empathize with the feeling of being nowhere near as grown up as your parents were at this age! Adulting is seriously a struggle some days!
What a milestone! Looks like you had a great time.
[…] poet. I am lucky and blessed to receive two poems from her. You can read her poems about me in this post and this post. These poems are few of my treasured possessions that no one can take […]