Milestones Revisted

The big Five O!! Little old me is actually 50 years old now. That picture is my gift, from my children, to commemorate that almost hard to believe milestone. The message pretty apropos don't you think?

A moment of reflection perhaps to look around and think on where my life is. I've spoken often enough about the imagery and metaphor of the tapestry around what that reflection may look like, a weaving together of all the people and experiences that have happened over the past 50 years bringing me to where I am today. Incredible highs and just enough of the lows to keep it real and to add context. I am incredibly blessed, from my "three little birds" and on I have a lot to be thankful for. And really that is what I feel like talking about...not a mark on a calendar but a loving acknowledgement of, well....you. 

Those of you that have been subjected to my meandering mouth and brain, received semi regular texts that show I have been thinking of you, have sat with me while sipping wine, ate together, walked together, rolled down hills together, drove together, loved together and simply been together. The salient idea being together. You know who you are of course; my family and friends that have sustained me, filled me with love and friendship. Those I have learned from, worked with and simply been with....what better thing to celebrate this number then to raise a glass to you all..."I am because you are."

I recall vividly the first time I heard the word Ubuntu. Bono was speaking at a leadership thing for Paul Martin way back when and he talked of this idea, this belief that we are bound together, as Desmond Tutu explained, “My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.” One of those moments when you realize you just heard something important, and in my case another thread or two had been added to the tapestry of my life because of it. That was 2003, when I was still a young lad at the age of 35. To think of all that has transpired from that day to this can be both huge and daunting...but it's simply the life I've lived. We've all lived. With many of you being there all along and some having joined the party more recently.

"We win together, we lose together. We celebrate and we mourn together. 

And defeats are softened and victories sweeter because we did them together... 

You're my guys and I'm yours... and there's nothing I wouldn't do for you."

So, for my birthday I want to send my love to you all. Near and far a great big hug from the best hugger ever. I've have hugs, I have the best hugs to parody you know who. Come over and have a drink if you're in the neighbourhood, bring cake if you must ;)

Ciao
D