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Jan. 21, 2009 – Reflections on My 60th Birthday with LOTS of Celebrations
Though I’m definitely feeling old(er), from all the activities below, I know I am well-loved. Turning 60 feels a bit impending but it’s better than the alternative. I certainly know I am very fortunate to have had more adventures, travel, and general experiences than 99% of Americans.
I am extremely lucky to have such wonderful friends and family. Adrian suggested that I should consider getting a hobby and volunteer somewhere. I’ve thought about both very seriously. I really believe that I have a fulfilling hobby already: religiously (no pun intended) staying involved with friends and family (maybe my kids would say too much!) who are scattered across multiple coasts, countries and continents. I will, however, take his advice and do some volunteering when I return from Africa.
Meanwhile, I am following up celebrating more than 60 days’ worth of my 60th birthday with a trip to Ghana, Kenya and Namibia. Pretty great!
Jan. 10, 2009 – Party with Friends
In late summer 2009, my friend Phyllis asked me over lunch in SF whether I was going to have a big bash for my 60th. I was really thinking “no” but then thought about how much fun my 50th party was. Rick had arranged for about 20 of us to meet at a cooking school in SF to eat, drink and be merry while cooking our own dinner. Besides the fact that cooking is a hobby of many of our friends, the party was memorable because it got together our very diverse sets of friends who have always heard about each other without being acquainted. So I asked him if we could replicate that with a bigger crowd. He contracted with Draeger’s cooking school in Menlo Park, I listed everyone whom I wanted to attend, he emailed everyone, so on Saturday, Jan. 10th 40 of us gathered to cook our own dinner. Some (yes, mostly women) were more serious chefs than other (mainly men but who’s stereotyping), but talk about eat, drink and be merry, Draeger’s practically turned off the lights to get rid of us. But who would want such a great evening to end?
Dec. 5 – Celebrations Carry on into December
About 10 days after my official birthday, I flew to Boston to spend a bit of quality time with my son and his girlfriend, stay with my favorite aunt and uncle for 2 nights, and hang out with more college friends. Ben, Ruth and I got caught up on happenings on my side of the family, talked about their vacation in Florida to escape winter, and my upcoming trips to Breckenridge, CO then Africa. Over dinner on my 2nd night at their house, my aunt and uncle surprised me with a chocolate birthday cake (what else could I desire?) and gift. The next night I had dinner in a trendy Boston restaurant with college friends and their husbands whom I have known also for years. Food was good and the company was great! On my last night in Boston, my college friend Judy, who had fixed me up with Rick (and our sons went to the same college and were in the same fraternity!), took a bus down from Maine so we could have a long overdue girls’ night together. There were a few hours of sleep that evening, but most of our less than 24 hours together was—wait for it, wait for it--talking about family, friends, life, etc. An added bonus was briefly catching up with my sister-in-law and niece for dim sum in Boston’s revived China Town. All-in-all, a wonderful whirlwind continued the next month’s celebration of my 60th.
Nov. 28 – Party at Linda’s with Walleigh Family
On Thanksgiving Day, the family had gathered in a new venue: Linda and Fernando’s new (as of Spring 2008) house. This was Rick, Adrian, Diana and my first Walleigh Family Thanksgiving in Maryland which was not at his mother’s house. Because most everyone was still in town, the Albans hosted a family gathering on the night after Thanksgiving. It was a warm, just-right ending to my 60th birthday week.
Party on Nov. 23rd my actual 60th birthday
On the Sunday of my actual birthday in Bethesda, Maryland, I had what would be the 2nd in a multi-month celebration of my turning 60. Rick had carried my gifts in his suitcase then gave them to me at Grandmommy’s house. We met Linda and Fernando, my sister- and brother-in-law, along with my beloved mother-in-law (truly! No sarcasm intended!) for brunch at Matisse restaurant, just over the border from Maryland in D.C. Though I missed Adrian and Diana, I would see them in a few days, and this intimate gathering was lovely!
Oct. 17 to 19 - Weekend with College Friends
A month ahead of my actual birthday, I flew into New York to spend the weekend with 3 of my closest friends--who have known me since freshman year of college. It was incredibly wonderful to kick off my 60th birthday celebrations with women (of the same age!) who have grown up together and despite living 3,000 miles apart, continue to see each other at least once a year. Because of these visits, emails and occasional calls, our lives are comfortably woven together. All our children—now adult including 2 married--have met over the years. Even our husbands like each other since we’ve spent time as couples together at reunions, weddings and graduations. I’m so lucky to have them part of my life!
