Catching up with your letters. I can’t remember if I was excited but I think so because I held a party. All of my friends were work friends in London at that time. It was a good night. was On the morning of my birthday I phoned my grandmother in Tasmania. Calling long distance was something her generation never even thought of doing and while we always wrote to each other we’d not spoken for a couple of years. We spoke for an hour or more about everything from my plans to the state of the world. I shared that birthday with my grandfather her husband. I was working on the world news desk and there some major events that we discussed. She was engaged, informed and educated. She’d had to give up teaching when she married. It was a beautiful conversation and I did not begrudge the cost of the call. When I woke up the next day after the party I received word that my grandmother had died in her sleep overnight.
Oh, Marian. What a touching story. Wow. I am so honoured you shared that here. She sounds incredible and certainly passed down many wonderful traits to you. Thank you for writing this 🧡🧡🧡
Glad to hear you have snacks to keep you company L 😂🥳 Let the doughnut game begin with nan now that you’re in her kitchen 🍩 😂🫶
Regarding my thirtieth-I had a lovely time with all my favourite people but the one thing that always sticks out for me about that time - that will always stick with me - it was my last birthday that my dad was with me. He passed months later.
The last decade of my life has been tough in lots of way - turbulent in lots of losses of people I love & lots of hard learning. But even with all that darkness, I’m so grateful for all the light. Definitely for me - it was the loss of my dad after I turned 30 that awoken me to looking at life in a whole new way ✨
Turning 30? A memory as hazy as the first four years of that decade. Guaranteed I was hungover. It might have been a Wednesday? Didn’t weekends start on Tuesdays?
I admit I don't remember turning thirty. It would have been my last birthday before I moved to the US, but before I knew I was moving. Presumably spent it with family, which is what we usually did.
So strange to think about a time you didn't know about something yet, that would end up being a huge part of your life story (like a big move). I relate to this 🧡
Ah turning 30... I was so surprised I was even alive, I decided to do a bunch of cool things I wanted to do across the month. Spent money I didn't really have, but managed to see friends, go to a gig or two, and generally just enjoy some time.
Although this was whilst I was writing 2 dissertations (dual degree), so I was doing that invetween ither stuff
Also my mental health had crashed. I'd come off morphine the previous summer, after my smashed knee had the metalwork talen out, and active withdrawal was the worst thing I've ever experienced. But then the post withdrawal hit and nobody warns you about that...
So anyway I was diagnosed as bipolar (finally, tbh, I'd begged for help over and over across the years), and given a mood stabiliser which began to help. But I was still pretty crashed by the time birthday month arrived.
Also I was - again finally - figuring out that I was trans and trying desperately to keep that at bay while I finished Uni.
But Sunday marks 10yrs since I came out. I'm 40 now. Still surprised to be here, even more surprised to have Cuddles. Not surprised that my body and brain continue to fall apart tho. That just seems to be my thing.
But turning 30, studying, figuring myself out more. That was all great. I won't say no complaints, that'd be a lie, but it was a time of change and learning, which was needed.
I am looking forward to turn 30 because one week after I am going to the Eras Tour with a friend and that in itself is worth entering another decade.
More seriously I’ve heard someone* say that your 20s are entering a costume shop, trying lots of them and your 30s is walking out of the shop in your regular clothes feeling good as you are. And I feel that more and more everyday
Catching up with your letters. I can’t remember if I was excited but I think so because I held a party. All of my friends were work friends in London at that time. It was a good night. was On the morning of my birthday I phoned my grandmother in Tasmania. Calling long distance was something her generation never even thought of doing and while we always wrote to each other we’d not spoken for a couple of years. We spoke for an hour or more about everything from my plans to the state of the world. I shared that birthday with my grandfather her husband. I was working on the world news desk and there some major events that we discussed. She was engaged, informed and educated. She’d had to give up teaching when she married. It was a beautiful conversation and I did not begrudge the cost of the call. When I woke up the next day after the party I received word that my grandmother had died in her sleep overnight.
Oh, Marian. What a touching story. Wow. I am so honoured you shared that here. She sounds incredible and certainly passed down many wonderful traits to you. Thank you for writing this 🧡🧡🧡
Ps. That guy over your shoulder likes Gun and Roses too I’d imagine 😂😂
Glad to hear you have snacks to keep you company L 😂🥳 Let the doughnut game begin with nan now that you’re in her kitchen 🍩 😂🫶
Regarding my thirtieth-I had a lovely time with all my favourite people but the one thing that always sticks out for me about that time - that will always stick with me - it was my last birthday that my dad was with me. He passed months later.
The last decade of my life has been tough in lots of way - turbulent in lots of losses of people I love & lots of hard learning. But even with all that darkness, I’m so grateful for all the light. Definitely for me - it was the loss of my dad after I turned 30 that awoken me to looking at life in a whole new way ✨
🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
Turning 30? A memory as hazy as the first four years of that decade. Guaranteed I was hungover. It might have been a Wednesday? Didn’t weekends start on Tuesdays?
I could have written this. Did I write this? I think I wrote this.
Love you, friend 🧡
I admit I don't remember turning thirty. It would have been my last birthday before I moved to the US, but before I knew I was moving. Presumably spent it with family, which is what we usually did.
So strange to think about a time you didn't know about something yet, that would end up being a huge part of your life story (like a big move). I relate to this 🧡
Yes. It is strange to think that there was a time I didn't know I was going to live in the US.
Safe journey Lauren!
Ah turning 30... I was so surprised I was even alive, I decided to do a bunch of cool things I wanted to do across the month. Spent money I didn't really have, but managed to see friends, go to a gig or two, and generally just enjoy some time.
Although this was whilst I was writing 2 dissertations (dual degree), so I was doing that invetween ither stuff
Also my mental health had crashed. I'd come off morphine the previous summer, after my smashed knee had the metalwork talen out, and active withdrawal was the worst thing I've ever experienced. But then the post withdrawal hit and nobody warns you about that...
So anyway I was diagnosed as bipolar (finally, tbh, I'd begged for help over and over across the years), and given a mood stabiliser which began to help. But I was still pretty crashed by the time birthday month arrived.
Also I was - again finally - figuring out that I was trans and trying desperately to keep that at bay while I finished Uni.
But Sunday marks 10yrs since I came out. I'm 40 now. Still surprised to be here, even more surprised to have Cuddles. Not surprised that my body and brain continue to fall apart tho. That just seems to be my thing.
But turning 30, studying, figuring myself out more. That was all great. I won't say no complaints, that'd be a lie, but it was a time of change and learning, which was needed.
Happy 10 years Lee, I am so glad to know you my friend 🧡
I am looking forward to turn 30 because one week after I am going to the Eras Tour with a friend and that in itself is worth entering another decade.
More seriously I’ve heard someone* say that your 20s are entering a costume shop, trying lots of them and your 30s is walking out of the shop in your regular clothes feeling good as you are. And I feel that more and more everyday
*yes that someone is Taylor Swift
WOAH, Taylor, that's some solid advice. Yes 🧡
i miss you & i love you <3
I MISS YOU AND I LOVE YOU SO! 🧡