When my parents were my age, I thought they were really, really old. Actually they seemed really, really old when I was a small girl! They were quite weird in that way. When I was little, Mum and Dad used to take me to church every Sunday in Brisbane - sub tropical climate - humid as hell in summer! Mum used to wear knickers, bra, girdle, stockings, petticoat, dress, shoes, hat and gloves to church. I have no idea what Dad wore, as I was always fascinated by watching Mum melting in the pews.
They seemed to get younger the older I was. By the time I was in my late teens, Mum and Dad seemed positively groovy. At my 18th birthday party, my Mum seemed young, hip, interesting. There was hope yet for me, I thought.
I married at the family home to my first husband when I was 19. Idiot! After 24 years (I was proven to be a slow learner!) I divorced the first husband and embarked on single womanhood.
Birthdays whilst I was married the first time were very important. My children were born and survived only as a result of good luck. Six pregnancies, seven babies, three living. So they are still considered miracles by me and the days of their births remain very special.
Alex is now 23. He has autism with a congenital heart defect, intellectual disability, low muscle tone and asthma. He is a brilliant young man who lives with his brother, volunteers as a trainee chef, goes to the gym, loves computer games, cooking and bush walking. I am in awe of him and his cheerful, enthusiastic slant on life.
Callum is 25. A graduate primary school teacher, he also works as a cafe manger and a ballroom dancing instructor. He is building a house and land package with his lovely partner Bronwyn. They are so excited by starting their lives together. I am delighted for them.
Vanessa is 28. She is in her final undergraduate year at uni as a Classics student and has been invited to do Honours next year. She never ever gives up. She has high functioning autism, a high IQ and VERY high anxiety! And, mostly, she copes. I am so proud of her, I could just about burst.
I had a couple of disastrous relationships between 2005 and 2009. By the time I met Michael, I had just about given up finding a decent man. Michael was a revelation. He wooed me, in the nicest possible way and I responded by falling in love with him instantly.
Fast forward five years and his birthdays are more important than ever. A smoker, with ongoing lung issues, he nearly died from pneumonia in April this year. I can't wait until his next birthday on 4 September. This year will be a testament to his fierce grip on survival. He is alive and a non smoker and utterly grateful to the medical staff who saved him.
Every birthday of my children, my husband or my friends is a celebration. A celebration that we have lived another year and we're still breathing. On the other hand, everyday that we wake up that we're still breathing should be a celebration !
Kate, Michael, Callum, Vanessa and Alex 2.1.2012
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