Well....i made it!

Yesterday was my 58th birthday.
I am happy.....and very relieved to reach 58. Really.........and heres why.

My Dad's side of our family is huge. He was one of 12 children, 9 of which went on to have children of their own....i had 30 first cousins...the eldest of whom was the same age as my Dad. I was the youngest...so 42 years between me and my eldest cousin.
Of those cousins.....7 passed away aged 57. 2 of heart disease, 3 of cancer and 2 liver failure.
So, the truth is, i've lived my life this last 12 months with this niggle I might not make my 58th birthday. Especially last summer when i began suffering from gall stones and the doc was concerned about my liver!! But...(other than the gall stones) all investigations were clear and no cause for worry.
So....i'm gonna enjoy being 58, remembering growing older is not a privilege everyone gets.

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OldBrit · 61-69, M

Again - happy felicitations to you. I'm very happy you've celebrated this birthday and here's to many more to come Ruby. xxx

In my ancestors finding a man who made it to 60 was a fruitless task. My Dad held the record at 59 and 10 months. So within my brother and my cousin as we each hit 50 we'd get a birthday card with "Into the last 10" on it. Bit morbid but there you go.

Well all three of us made it out of our 50s. Sadly my cousin though did pass away back in the Covid lockdown after a valiant battle against bowel cancer. My brother currently is holding the record closing in on his 66th birthday and will be the first male in my family line to ever draw an Old Age Pension!! I'm 62 and grateful. I still can't fathom how I am older than Dad ever was. And last year or so a lot of my friends who are the same age as me have sadly not been as lucky as I am.

Just back from the latest hospital appointment where that consultant was happily saying "I'll see you again in 12 months then" - so he's got some confidence 😂

RubySoo · 56-60, F

@OldBrit oh my!! It does play on yr mind doesn't it!!

Glad it was good news at the docs x