Today I wave goodbye to a very dear friend .. a friend that I have laughed with, cried with, reached the bottom with and had to pull myself back up a long steep slope.  A friend that has taught me much about myself and a friend that I will miss but will happily wave goodbye to.

Tomorrow I will stand tall, reflect on the time we had and wave you off with a smile and a few thoughts of what might have been, but I will have no regrets.   Just memories of a time that I wouldn’t change a minute of as our friendship has got me to who and where I am today.

Tomorrow I wave goodbye to being in my 40’s.

It is a strange feeling, reaching another milestone and not quite believing I can really be 50 (or as one of my friends put it 18 with 32 years experience).

When you are young 50 (actually even 30 or 40!) seems ancient.  I know I thought that.  The strange thing is that you learn more about yourself when you actually turn 40 than you ever do when you are younger.    It seems that your first 40 years are all about experience and learning, your 40’s about reflection on that and realising who you really are.

As I leave my 40’s I will do so with my head held high.  I’m not perfect, far from it … but I’m comfortable with myself and my life.  I’ve achieved lots, made lots of money, lost it all and had to start again.

As the saying goes, That’s Life,  and no matter how low or frustrated I have felt at times I think myself lucky that I have experienced the things (and the women!) that I have.

So tomorrow, as you raise your glass to Christmas, raise a glass to yourself,  you have made it to another one .. and may there be many more for you.

Tomorrow I will be 50… I can’t wait!