May I have your date of birth please madam?

23rd May 1949 was my reply.

My god! Is this really true?

It all seemed so surreal, here I was checking on flights to Hamilton Island for my daughter Kati, my son Dean & myself to celebrate my 60th birthday.

It didn’t hit me until that question was asked – then I really began to think.

Am I actually turning 60 years of age? Suddenly I sounded so very ancient!

Where have the years gone?

I didn’t feel any different to the day I wed in September 1968!

A young 19 year old Sydney hairdresser with her whole life and dreams ahead of her, marrying the blonde headed “stompy-wompy” surfer boy from the South Coast town of Stanwell Park.

Memories, without them our life would be very sad.

Yes, there are some I would rather forget, but on the whole I feel that the actual events that have become those memories have made me the person I am today. I’m so grateful for everything I’ve experienced & everyone I’ve been fortunate enough to share my life with.

The 21st BIRTHDAY 1970 – well this was absolutely amazing. It lasted for 3 days! Hubby & I were in the UK , North Devon to be precise, we were working at the Dilkhusa Grand Hotel in Ilfracombe. We all just partied till we dropped, I couldn’t have asked for a better coming of age!

Turning 30 in 1979 was just so much fun, a young Mother of a 3 year girl & a 1 year old boy, we were living in a beachside haven on the North Coast. Lots of mad friends around us, lots of mad parties and we were striving to make a future for ourselves and our children.

1989 - for the big 4-0 the party was huge. I was now a single Mum enjoying my work in hospitality and on the up in the industry. Life was my oyster and I savoured every drop I could. My kids were teenagers at the time & we really “grew up” together. I was experiencing everything they were but I was at the age of 40. They’re still my closest friends.

50 – 1999, well by this time I was on the verge of another lifestyle change. After 6 years as a very successful “Real Estate” agent in Coffs Harbour  but I really  was in need of a change. My birthday was all I wanted, shared at home with close neighbours, my partner at the time & good friends. I was now the grandmother of 3 and had climbed the ladder of success but I was certainly in need of another challenge.

The challenge was met, and I made the move to Port Stephens in June 2000.

After 9 years here, I’m still selling Real Estate and happily enjoying further success. My band of friends has obviously broadened, but I will always hold dearly in my heart all those from my past. Thankfully I am in constant contact with most and that I hope will never change.

2009 - Yes, I did celebrate my 60th on Hamilton Island, but unfortunately my son Dean wasn’t able to make the trip. Of course Kati & I told him all about it. We had an absolute ball and she really appreciated the break away from her 8 kids! The cocktails, the sailing, the dinners & the spas were all just a part of it.

I forgot to tell you about my additional GRANDKIDS, I now have 8 of them .

So here I am today a 60 year old “GROOVY GRANDMA” who is just loving the life she lives. In ten years time at 70, who knows what will have eventuated, but I can assure you that I will certainly have made the most of all those years.

HERE’S TO LIFE !

Vicki Ashford