In The Powder Room

Jan 02

Life begins at 40

Comments (12) by Clare Macnaughton January 02, 2012 - 7:02 AM

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In two days time I am 40. I am so excited! I can't believe it. My mother died when I was two years old and she was 26 years old. From the moment I was cognitively developed enough to remember, I have known that life is short. A life without a mother defined and grew me into the feisty, straight talking gun ho, maverick that exists today.

But because of her death, I have lived a life of adventure. I started travelling alone when I was 11 years old. My dad worked for the railways and I had free rail travel. I didn't waste it one bit. I would get on a train and traverse the country from south to north and back again watching the world speed past and marvelling at the life that unfolded on each journey. As I grew and aged I moved from UK to Europe mainly travelling again, on my own. My guilty pleasure.

I was hooked on movement, exploring, finding new places and interestingly, less bothered about meeting new people. As much as I am a gobshite in my everyday life, when I travel I am silent. I am an observer. I always prefer to be the observer and not the observed. So I lurk in the corners, on the edges with my back to the wall, watching the world. I don't trust the world or those that occupy it and in my endless years of journeys I learned to be wary. There are wankers everywhere.

On my travels amidst the wankers there has always emerged, a torch, a light, a map and guide, a protector. It's funny as I freestyle through the adventures with less planning than most, travelling at unusual times, I never know what comic incident or challenge will be placed in front of me.  And I love it when a journey is seamless like when I have shaved the timings to the most efficient, most uninterrupted leap from A to B. Perfect.

In the 40 years that have past I have wandered and now I hope in the next stage as I move into midlife the journeys and adventures continue. I also hope that I can share my love of wandering and wondering with my children so they can be hooked on the world like I am.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

by Clare Macnaughton January 02, 2012 - 7:02 AM

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Comments (12)

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  Report Tue Jan 3, 2012 - 8:14 pm

  by  The Regular Guy UK

  your giving your kids the one thing you never had and it's free - that's pretty special. I've made it to 40 without even trying and the neglect is well and truly creeping into my body. The thought of not being there for my boys scares me silly - maybe this year it's time for me to take those resolutions seriously. Keep on passing on that joy of life!

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• 1 reply, Last reply by Clare Macnaughton on Tue Jan 3, 2012 at 9:58 pm
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  Report Tue Jan 3, 2012 - 9:58 pm

  by  Clare Macnaughton

  @The Regular Guy UK: Will do - yes maybe it's time or maybe it isn't. I think it important that we just don't take stuff for granted.Plus I don't suffer the guilt that many mothers do about working. I am alive, I am in their lives and I love them so therefore they have more than I did. I try not to smother.

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  Report Tue Jan 3, 2012 - 10:09 am

  by  Very Bored in Catalunya

  I've also just turned 40, and whilst I was dreading it I now feel quite optimistc and full of hope for the coming year. Happy Birthday. x

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• 1 reply, Last reply by Clare Macnaughton on Tue Jan 3, 2012 at 11:34 am
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  Report Tue Jan 3, 2012 - 11:34 am

  by  Clare Macnaughton

  @Very Bored in Catalunya: Happy Belated Birthday!!! This is going to be a great year!! xxx

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  Report Mon Jan 2, 2012 - 9:49 pm

  by  Lerner

  I just turned thirty this year. I'm already excited for 40! This is awesome.

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• 1 reply, Last reply by Clare Macnaughton on Tue Jan 3, 2012 at 9:59 am
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  Report Tue Jan 3, 2012 - 9:59 am

  by  Clare Macnaughton

  @Lerner: Squeeze the last drop of marvellousness out every day - 40th party ended up an epic tequila mess!!!

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  Report Mon Jan 2, 2012 - 2:26 pm

  by  Kathy

  I turn 42 in three weeks. 40 rocks!! When I was 35, I became depressed over turning 40 in five years, but the closer I got to 40, the more I began to look forward to it. There's something about reaching a new "decade" where it feels like you get a fresh start. And I get hit on more than I ever did in my 20s. :)

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• 1 reply, Last reply by Clare Macnaughton on Mon Jan 2, 2012 at 6:58 pm
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  Report Mon Jan 2, 2012 - 6:58 pm

  by  Clare Macnaughton

  @Kathy: I am liking the sound of that!!

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  Report Mon Jan 2, 2012 - 2:39 pm

  by  Heidi_Scrimgeour

  Happy Birthday! Sad to read about your mum but excited for you kids to have you to wander with.

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• 1 reply, Last reply by Clare Macnaughton on Mon Jan 2, 2012 at 6:58 pm
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  Report Mon Jan 2, 2012 - 6:58 pm

  by  Clare Macnaughton

  @Heidi_Scrimgeour: Yes - although they seem to be showing early signs of whinge-ing and doing my head in around the world! I guess when you can have it - you don't want it.

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  Report Mon Jan 2, 2012 - 4:29 pm

  by  Janie Emaus

  Happy Birthday and Happy Adventuring. I think I remember my forties!

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• 1 reply, Last reply by Clare Macnaughton on Mon Jan 2, 2012 at 6:57 pm
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  Report Mon Jan 2, 2012 - 6:57 pm

  by  Clare Macnaughton

  @Janie Emaus: Thanks! Ha ha!! I can feel an accelerated depreciation occurring - am not sure what the 50s are going to be like! xx

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