Turning 40 Years Old
I turn 40 years old tomorrow - Christmas Day. I can't believe it. The time went by so quickly. So very quickly. So, how am I feeling on the last day of being 39? Hmm...
Well, for starters, it's an interesting place to be. I am looking forward as much as I am looking backwards and realizing that I may have lived about half my life now. I may have less time ahead of me as I did behind me. All of a sudden it feels as though my time line just got shorter. Although people constantly are amazed to hear that I am 40, I have started to notice the wrinkles and white hairs in places I've never seen them before. Yes, I am getting older and little by little, I'm accepting it. I think this may have a lot to do with why I've been lackadaisical in my writing lately. I've been in a state of psychological, physical, mental, spiritual and emotional transition and the dust hasn't settled yet.
I am excited about what's ahead in my life. I'm doing a lot of new things and I've been really expanding my world. I've met so many good people in the past few years and I've accomplished quite a lot. I'm hoping to finally see my restaurant open in the coming year which will also take me to a whole new level in my life. It already has even without having been opened yet.
I had two experiences in 2004 which affected me profoundly:
Visiting Palestine in August of 2004. My trip to the West Bank had a tremendous impact on me in so many different ways. I saw my father for the first time in many, many years. I met 2 sisters I'd never known before, I met so many new family members and I was exposed to a kindness and welcome I have not experienced in a very long time. I witnessed the effects of the occupation of the palestinian territory. My trip touched me in so many different ways and left me transformed.
The other defining moment of the year came this past Saturday when I was given a surprise 40th birthday party by George. It was amazing. It was like "This Is Your Life" episode.
I'll write about it soon. Happy holidays everyone.
Well, for starters, it's an interesting place to be. I am looking forward as much as I am looking backwards and realizing that I may have lived about half my life now. I may have less time ahead of me as I did behind me. All of a sudden it feels as though my time line just got shorter. Although people constantly are amazed to hear that I am 40, I have started to notice the wrinkles and white hairs in places I've never seen them before. Yes, I am getting older and little by little, I'm accepting it. I think this may have a lot to do with why I've been lackadaisical in my writing lately. I've been in a state of psychological, physical, mental, spiritual and emotional transition and the dust hasn't settled yet.
I am excited about what's ahead in my life. I'm doing a lot of new things and I've been really expanding my world. I've met so many good people in the past few years and I've accomplished quite a lot. I'm hoping to finally see my restaurant open in the coming year which will also take me to a whole new level in my life. It already has even without having been opened yet.
I had two experiences in 2004 which affected me profoundly:
Visiting Palestine in August of 2004. My trip to the West Bank had a tremendous impact on me in so many different ways. I saw my father for the first time in many, many years. I met 2 sisters I'd never known before, I met so many new family members and I was exposed to a kindness and welcome I have not experienced in a very long time. I witnessed the effects of the occupation of the palestinian territory. My trip touched me in so many different ways and left me transformed.
The other defining moment of the year came this past Saturday when I was given a surprise 40th birthday party by George. It was amazing. It was like "This Is Your Life" episode.
I'll write about it soon. Happy holidays everyone.
Wishing you a Happy Birthday!
Posted by tj | 3:08 PM
Many YEars!
And "welcome to the other side" :-)
Posted by Huw Raphael | 10:05 PM
Happy, happy, HAPPY birthday, Farid. I'm so sorry we couldn't be there at your party last Saturday.
May this year bring you joy and happiness and continued love.
:-)
xoxoxoxo
Posted by PatCH | 8:31 AM
hi farid
happy bithday-i didnt know it was ur bithday and am surprised you didnt tell me
although its late here i tell you how i wish u a happybirtday and a life full of happiness and love
your friend from the other side
akomari!
Posted by Anonymous | 4:02 AM
Leila from Dove's Eye View here - Found you in the best Arab bloggers nominations. Happy belated birthday! I'm another 40ish blogger, ARab-American, and I used to live in Brooklyn, a wonderful borough, a city in its own right.
I'm sorry about your father's illness - salamtoo.
I'll be bookmarking you and checking in regularly.
Leila Abu-Saba
bedouina.typepad.com
Posted by Anonymous | 11:45 PM