Life is long but the time is short…..

“Life is long but the time is short.”

- A song from my fabulous cousin -Wallis Bird - captures it all 💖

Celebrate your life when you’re alive! 💖

I have a simple theory on life myself: Love those who love you. Choose those who choose you. Care & support those who care & support you. Move towards those who move towards you. Make the effort with the people you love-your friends are always worth it 💖

It’s not the years in your life that count but the life in your years ✨ quality over quantity any day for me 🌟

I’m very grateful for forty healthy years & the gift of a strong inner circle loving me & me loving them. I’ve had a wonderful build up & celebration of my 40th birthday & I’ve marked it in so many Lou ways.

No wild parties. No hangovers. No late nights. Those days are truly in my past & I’ve never been so content with that. I’m a quieter, more at peace me but my smile is one of gratitude for the gift of friendship in which I’ve been bestowed. I’m grateful over my years that I’ve never lost sight of the gift that is friendship 🙏✨🙏

I wanted this moment to be surrounded with people I love & things I love too. I’ve been so blessed to be able to gift myself this very unforgettable time ✨

Vancouver was magic. So lucky to have got to spend time with my best friend as we both began a new adventure. I wanted to make memories that mattered at this moment so I would always treasure this time - make happy memories that would wrap this milestone in coloured lights & sweetness. Blue skies & the sounds of nature. That nobody could ever take away from me. That illness nor darkened times could ever invade. I’ve sacrificed a lot of me in the last ten years so this moment was very much an opportunity to remind myself of all the good in the world, all the good in my world.

Vancouver. Coldplay. Food. Best friends. Chats. Ice cream. Mountains. Pho. Comedy. Steam clocks. Ubers. Walks. Poutine. Tea for dinner. Journeys. Food...did I mention food? Laughter. Love. And more laughter. Seals. Markets. Magic! And the list goes on…

No late night parties. No madness. Instead loving and quiet moments with the people I really care about & who I’m so grateful to count as my people, my tribe, my inner circle of love. Last night was magical. So easy. So loving. So soft. So joyful. So magical. And most importantly, so memorable for all the right reasons. I was just missing two people from my table - dad & gran & in so many ways they were indeed there. They were present in the hearts of all the people I love & who love me. My heart is full of optimism, hope & sincerity because of the love I received from those two stars in heaven & from those around me. The most important - my mam - who not only encouraged me to go to Canada but told me on numerous times how much I deserved this trip. My sister & mam organised a day of treats, surprises & a beautiful celebration yesterday evening along with so many beautiful gifts from friends 💖It truly was the best party I’ve ever attended. A party that began at 6pm- my dream with all my favourite people. I love my early to bed & I love that the kids were so excited, you would nearly think it was their birthday. I love my nephews & nieces like they were my own children - a very special bond that I’m so grateful for. All ages represented & while sitting in amongst the magic, I lightly held my grans rosary beads in my palm under the table while thanking my higher power for gifting me such a wonderful moment & a wonderful life ✨ How did I ever become so lucky?!? 💖✨💖

All my emergency contacts at the table along with the people whose names appear on my phone everyday. The people who never give up on me. The people who love me for me. Who laugh with me. Who cry with me. Who lift me up when I feel down & I hope I do the same for them in return. The blessing of friendship is something I will never take for granted because friends who notice you on your quiet days, make you smile on your happy days & who love you unconditionally are invaluable in this world. They think of you when you think nobody is thinking of you! They want the best for you. They are unique & golden treasures because good friends are hard to find, impossible to forget & for me, I want them to know how lucky I am to have them in my life so I try my best to tell them in my own way. Sometimes small gestures, little gifts, cups of tea, bake bread, random flowers at their doors, or my favourite of all - hugs & the committed act of just being there for them whenever I’m needed & also when I’m not 💖Friendship is a million little things & the one way I now know I’ve got a good friend in my life is simple - I feel it!

In life, I never look too far down the road, I hope for it ….but I’m just grateful for the blessing that is each day. And in that sentiment, that’s how I’ll continue to move forward with my life please god. Day by day. Hour by hour. Step by step. With the love of my family & friends keeping me afloat, I’ll keep looking up, leaning in & loving life for as long as I’m given on this earth. I really do hope my life will be long & the time will be short ✨💖✨

Love & light to you & thanks a million for the hundreds of birthday wishes.

You’re the best!

Lou x