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On this, my 56th birthday, I remember talking to my aunt one time at her house as I was looking at one of her photos on the wall. In the photo she was very young and very beautiful and and I remember her commenting that now she felt very old and very removed from that photo. She was still very beautiful but just different. That's the pattern of life: from young to old. Getting old is certainly better than the alternative. Wrinkles, grey hair and the aches of an tired body are inevitable, although we try to hold them off as long as possible. My 56th birthday is a special milestone. I was a few days shy of my 13th birthday when my dad passed away at the age of 56. Back then, when people said that 56 was very young, I thought 'that's plenty old enough.' But I guess that's what kids think. Fifty-six isn’t old. Because for me, right now, I'm barely getting started. Life moves along. It has its ups and downs. I have laughed and cried. People have come and gone, friends have entered and departed. Relationships have started and been broken. I went to college, became an RN, moved to a different country and back, had a child, worked hard, wrote a book, became a Girl Guide leader, started a small business, all the while moving forward as best I can, trying to be the best person I can be. Living life. Little did I know that day trips with my guy, vacations, concerts with my daughter, movies, birthday meals with family, hanging out with friends, and running from a skunk down Queen St. in Niagara-on-the-Lake with my best friend, wasn't just living life. I was making memories. And memories are the best things to have as I get older, wrinkles or not.
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Since I started keeping track of my biking, I have ridden 1432 km.
I finished the virtual Camino de Santiago in Spain. Then I biked the Great Ocean Road in Australia, then the Alps to Ocean in New Zealand. Now I am doing the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia. At the same time, I am walking the Ring of Kerry in Ireland. The app is really good for keeping track of everything. I will have to take a couple photos of my medals when I hang them up! So, the last 10 years or so, I have wanted to do the Camino de Santiago. Not walking though. I would rather bike it. Time, money and fitness level at the moment would prevent me from doing it but I saw The Conqueror Event Series and thought I would try the Camino virtually. So, today I sign up. I downloaded the apps and I am ready to start tomorrow. If you are interested: it is HERE. There are other Challenges: Hadrian's Wall, Inca Trail, English Channel, Alps to Ocean, Great Ocean Road, Grand Canyon, Length of the UK, Route 66, The Appalachian Trail. It looks like I picked one of the longer ones! I start in virtual Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. June 28 was my 54th birthday. It was a good day. I got a wonderful card and video from my daughter. My Guy bought me a bearded dragon. I have wanted one for a while now. 
 I went to see Crash Test Dummies in January! This time, I went by self. Nothing like sitting enjoying the music!
The Barenaked Ladies and Hootie & the Blowfish in Toronto last week. On August 18, my cousin, my daughter and myself went to see P!nk in Toronto. It was a GREAT concert. This was originally scheduled for May but was postponed because of a throat infection. It was well worth the wait. It was awesome. Thank you P!nk for a wonderful show!! My dad died less than a week before I turned 13.
40 years ago. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him. I miss him. He was truly a nice person. I try to make him proud every day. Some days that is harder than others. On Dec 25, my daughter turned 24. We had a good Christmas Day, although I was busy cooking for 16 people!! HAPPY NEW YEAR Everyone!!!  |
ShanaMe? Canadian, writer, RN, crafter, Girl Guide Leader, Red Hatter, 3-dog owner, photographer, geocacher, cool Mom, and all around FUN and FUNNY person! Categories
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