There are only two types of people in the world: those who hate their birthday and those who love it. Anyone who knows me knows that I definitely fall into this second category. It may be because of a little bit of egocentrism, but I like to celebrate this special day and I have never felt the need to hide my age. What's a birthday after all? Just a day to be grateful and to celebrate life together with our most dear people. This is what I think and how I like to spend it.
We have to admit, however, that there are numbers that are more important than others, special goals let's say. And 4+0 are certainly one of them. Some may have felt overwhelmed at turning forty, but I had been looking forward to it for a long time. Several times I visualized in my mind what I would like to do and even though everything wasn't exactly as I imagined, everything went exactly as it was supposed to go and I don't think I'm lying when I say that this was one of my best birthdays ever. .
What I needed the most was to go back home for a few days, disconnect from my life here in Spain and return for a moment being the person I always was, the one who everyone knows. Sometimes while I'm here I miss the sociality that was typical about my life in Italy. Seeing my family again, the familiar faces of my closest friends, feeling the affection of my nine grandchildren and sharing moments with my lifelong loved ones was what I wanted most.
And then obviously the party. Dance. My favorite music. Performing on stage. When I organize these types of events I feel more alive than ever. This is why I want to start with a list of thanks because it's clear, you cannot organize a big party without the help of many people, and I have the best ones. Thanks to Daniele, the trusted DJ for all my events, who always helps me a lot without ever holding back. Thanks to my parents who, even if maybe they complain during the process, they always support me, encourage me and participate together with my whole family, including the children. They dress up, go wild on the dance floor and experience these crazy moments with me.
Thanks to Matteo and "Sweet and Cake" who this year created a special chocolate cake for the occasion. A personalized one where the guests themselves could decorate, leaving their dedication with some colored jellies. It was an interactive and original moment! And then thanks to Enrico who took all the official photos of the evening, to Francesca who danced Pamela Rief's workouts with me on stage and helped me get adults and children to dance. Thanks to Marco, without him the photo panel and decorations would not have been so beautiful. Thanks to Michele who came from Rome to be the vocalist for the party, to Silvia with whom I was able to do two performances like in our golden times and also to my brother Raffaele for duetting together. Least but not last, thanks to my friends Hellen and Miguel Ángel for coming from Almeria to celebrate this day with me!
Finally, my biggest thanks go to all the people who came and participated. It was exciting to see some of you again after a really long time. It was like going back to the days of the Young Singles Adults' parties, just this time our children were there too! Many of you thanked me, making me understand how important these moments together are. We spend every day immersed in the routine of work, school and family life but we must not forget to have fun and above all we must not forget that we are not alone.
This time I really recharged myself with positive energy by trying to share as many moments as possible with my friends. And it wasn't for the party alone of course. During the two weeks I spent at home, I had various opportunities to go out and see a lot of friends again, to spend time with my family and especially with my grandparents and children, both in Bussolengo and in Padua. I always set out with the intention of relaxing, but then I can't sit still and I like being able to see as many people and do as many things as possible. In short, when I come home there's never a day when I feel bored!
Just one party is never enough for me. This year, November 23rd was also Thanksgiving Day, so I decided to organize a dinner with my family and some of our closest friends. I know it's an American holiday, but we're now so used to hearing about it and we love taking advantage of every possible opportunity to have a dinner, so it seemed appropriate to use this opportunity to express my gratitude. I initially thought about giving a speech but there wasn't the possibility that evening (or we simply got distracted by good food and good company), so I will write down what I feel now in this page.
I just wanted to say THANK YOU one more time. Lately I have often stopped to think about how grateful I am for the experiences and the people who have been a part of my life and are still with me today. I returned home recharged with energy thanks to the affection and warmth with which I was welcomed. I try to smile always and to be open towards other people because it is thanks to these relationships that I feel supported in my most difficult moments. I have received many blessings in recent years, but one of the greatest was certainly being able to be part of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Verona ward. There will never be people as special to me, even if it's true that the Church is the same throughout the world. This group of friends is the one where I always feel myself, this group of friends will always be my home.
And when I go back I remember who I am again, I regain courage and continue to advance. Knowing that whatever happens, I will always have my safe haven here.
That's why I can only say, welcome 40! What a magnificent age! I want to continue like this, thinking about the things I have with gratitude, and the things I can achieve with hope and optimism.
I don't often get spiritual on this blog, but today I want to conclude by quoting a general authority of our church, Elder Joseph B. Whirtling, who gave a speech at a conference in 2006 titled, "The Abundant Life." (Read it all, the speech is truly wonderful). We are all special and can make out of our lives a work of art. We can have a rich and happy life and this is what I want to wish myself for the future, but also for all of you. There is a way to achieve all these things and I want to share a little secret here:
<<The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a religion of mourning and gloom. The faith of our fathers is one of hope and joy. It is not a gospel of chains but a gospel of wings.
To embrace it fully is to be filled with wonder and to walk with an inner fire. Our Savior proclaimed, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”>>
I know this is true. When I feel discouraged I think about all the things I can enjoy every day, even the smallest, and there are so many. I'm not saying it's easy but it makes me happy to know that there are many wonders that we can find outside and inside ourselves.
Now I'm ready for the next goals to reach... and maybe for an upcoming party!
And you?