Waking up on the morning of my 45th birthday, I wasn’t sure what to feel. Do I celebrate? Commiserate? Do I look back with regret in what I haven’t yet achieved? Do I look forward in fear with the thought of growing even older?
Then my boys jumped into bed with us and it was time up for deep morbid thoughts.
The day was pretty much like any other, except perhaps for the steady flow of awesome birthday messages on Facebook.
There are a few topics my husband and I light heartedly disagree and one is the authenticity of Facebook friends.
“How sincere is a short birthday message on Facebook?” he argues.
“Why assume that it’s nothing short of sincerity? They don’t have to send anything, if they don’t want ” is my comeback.
We happily agree to disagree.
I headed to the gym where I was greeted with lots of well wishes from the personal trainers and other clients. My PT even pumped up Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday” to get into the festive spirit (and yet, to torture me again).
And because I could easily be the same age of most of these trainer’s mothers, there’s this inner desire to prove myself.
In the midst of high energy punching, boxing and kicking, my sweaty face looked up at my trainer and between hurried breaths, I muttered:
“45 and badass”
So that’s how I’m approaching my 45th year on this earth, with uncompromising and relentless baddassery.
Like most women, I am not one that comes to the mid 40’s table without my fair share of battle scars, remnants of relationship breakdowns and struggles with letting shit go.
I’ve been completely broke – financially and emotionally -in a foreign country and still somehow managed to survive.
Despite all the health scares and the high risks throughout, my body made it through giving birth to two lives.
All those Facebook messages are the makeup of who I am today. Each person who took their time (no matter how brief, no matter how convenient Facebook makes it) to just congratulate me for another year, all hold some significance in my journey to get to the badass I am today.
And for that I am grateful. And for that I say, “45? Bring it”
Tell me, what makes you badass?
1. Follow With Some Grace.
2. Sign up to the awesome Digital Parents community ( if you haven’t already done so). DP was created by Brenda Gaddi who happens to be the creator of FYBF. She’s also created 4 gorgeous kidlets. In case you’d like to know. Or maybe not. But we’ll share that info just the same.
3. Add your post URL to the FYBF linky. Please only link up one post.
4. Grab the funky FYBF button and post it on your sidebar. Help spread the blogfloggin love.
5. Visit the blogs of your fellow FYBF’ers and share the comment love
Michelle V says
Wishing you a belated Happy 45th Birthday Grace!
mamagrace71 says
Thank you, Michelle! Thanks for being part of my blog over all these years x
Lydia C. Lee says
Badass…I like it!
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Stair Challenge and Giant Steps
mamagrace71 says
Booyah! 😉
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit says
Happy birthday Grace! I personally love Facebook for allowing me to wish people happy birthday so easily. I only say happy birthday if I care about the person enough to wish them happy birthday. I LOVE getting the birthday love in return.
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 2506 – Melbourne Zoo
mamagrace71 says
Gotta give it to receive it, right Leanne? 😉
Amy @ handbagmafia says
I think FB just makes it easier to wish awesome people a badass birthday! Love your style!
Amy @ handbagmafia recently posted..Bathrooms and Better Lives
mamagrace71 says
Love yours too! x
Vicki @ Knocked Up & Abroad says
Happy 45th birthday Grace! People still took the time to message you, even if it’s on FB. That means something or more to the point, you mean something to them x
Vicki @ Knocked Up & Abroad recently posted..The Nearby Adventure
mamagrace71 says
Yes, exactly! No matter how brief the message, I’m just as grateful 🙂
Sarah @ Tomfo says
Oh happy happy birthday lovely, and here’s to having the best year ahead, I’m badass in many of the same reasons as you, we must be interweb sisters! Have a fab day and keep celebrating xx
Sarah @ Tomfo recently posted..20 awesome gifts for dad, that give back + DIY wrapping paper
mamagrace71 says
Thank you, my badass sister! x
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
Snap! We are the same age. I hope you had an ace day! I love that FB makes birthdays better with those lovely birthday messages – I don’t think a FB birthday greeting is any less sincere than a greeting card or even an in person greeting, after all, it’s not about how the message is delivered, it’s the sentiment behind it. Here’s to a year full of badassery!
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid recently posted..She’s So Inspiring – Bec Winston
mamagrace71 says
Hey Sammie, I had no idea you’re also in the Fabulous 45 club! And you my friend, are totally badass! x
Ingrid @ fabulous and fun life says
45 and badass! I love it! And that’s also why I love reading your blog! I hope your 46 th year alive is your most badass one to date! Happy belated birthday!
Ingrid @ fabulous and fun life recently posted..Discovering the QV Skincare Difference & GIVEAWAY
mamagrace71 says
Naw, thank you Ingrid! Thanks for keeping me in check with so many gorgeous beauty products. My 45 year old skin also thanks you:) x
Mandy @ barbie bieber and beyond says
Happy Birthday Grace. I love the way Facebook makes it easier to wish your family and friends a happy birthday. I also love the way it reminds you, which if you are a scatterbrain like me is a blessing!
Mandy @ barbie bieber and beyond recently posted..Words Your Teenage Daughter Needs To Hear
mamagrace71 says
Oh my gosh, I’m totally scatterbrain, Mandy! I thank FB for putting me in check for my friends’ birthday 😉
JodY At Six Little Hearts says
Happy Birthday girl! (You have reminded me that mine’s only days away and I’ve not even thought about it!)
I shall be a whole year older than you!
These days you’ve gotta say, who cares where the Birthday messages come from? As long as they come. Gone are the days of paper cards. (Though the ones with cash inside are always welcome. ;D)
Love the Rocky meme too. I have only just started watching Rocky movies for the first time in my life, 3 weeks ago. Dang, those movies are FABULOUS! I have been seriously missing out for decades!
JodY At Six Little Hearts recently posted..Philips Series 7000 Vacuum Beard Trimmer Review. #SLHFeaturedThursdays
mamagrace71 says
Oh, birthday cards with cash!!! How I miss those! I just saw Rocky for the first time last night on Foxtel and my parents’ house – how cool is it??!!!
Have an awesome birthday! I hope you’re going to write a post about it 🙂
Denyse Whelan says
Here’s how I know I am ‘literally’ old enough to be your mother…My DD turned 45 on 6th Aug. I don’t know what ‘badass’ even means but I do know that without my on-line friendships I would be a lonelier soul now. Yes, Mr Surfer, I know that it might seem not so real and I have a hub who is like that too but considering that many of the FB friends I have are because of blogging and social connections like that I am grateful every single day.
I understand birthdays tend to make us look backwards more than forwards (I so need to stop doing this too!) but on balance you have and continue to have a wonderful life of all the variations we might expect and I wish you well over the years and years to come. Oh, and the thing I have learned at 66 is the ‘achievements’ are OK but how I live my life in a more gentle way for my health is more important. Thank you for keeping blogging real every Friday too Grace. I love this!
Denyse Whelan recently posted..Avoca Beach Action. 366/239.
mamagrace71 says
Yes, D! It’s all about how we live our lives and the importance of being gentle on ourselves. And hey, from someone who’s admired you for a number of year now, I think you’ve achieved so very much. I figure I’ve done plenty, I still have plenty more I want to do but once in awhile it’s okay to just take a lie down 🙂 Love your work, D xxx
Denyse Whelan says
What a beautiful thing to say. Thank you G xxx
Denyse Whelan recently posted..Spring & Scarecrows Are Here. 366/246.
Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
I love your style Grace. While I had a much happier birthday this year, I was not sure how to approach 41. I decided to put aside the age thing (except when my children decide to remind me of it) and live my life the best way I can. In the end, age is only just a number… Happy birthday my friend x
Kirsty @ My Home Truths recently posted..Here’s the Blog Scoop
mamagrace71 says
Yes, age is only a number! And lovely, you are living an awesome life because you are helping so many through your blog and public speaking. Love your work, Kirsty! x
Beth | AlmostPosh.com says
I love a FB happy birthday greeting. If someone is going to take a minute to shoot me a quick good wish, especially in today’s busy world, then I’ll accept it with good grace (see what I did there?!) Hope you enjoyed your day!
Beth | AlmostPosh.com recently posted..#AlmostPoshStyleCost: August
mamagrace71 says
Had a wonderful day, thanks Beth! And yes, in today’s busy world – I’ll take a brief birthday message from a long lost friend 🙂
Di from Max The Unicorn says
This reminds me of the quote “And that’s kicking your ass!” from Charlie’s Angels. Happy Birthday Grace! 🙂
Di from Max The Unicorn recently posted..GIVEAWAY: WIN Chi Chi on Instagram!
mamagrace71 says
Ooooh, I loved Charlie’s Angels! You know I took karate lessons after watching it. The lessons were shortlived but the badassery stuck around 😉
Kimba Likes says
No wonder we get on so well. Two kickarse badass babe Leos!
Glad you had a fabulous Festival of Grace! X
Kimba Likes recently posted..Bohemian Traders Blossom Days
mamagrace71 says
I’m apparently on the cusp! Whatever that means! I do feel more Leo than Virgo, though! Leos have more fun, yes? x
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
Love your guts girl, I agree with you on the FB thing, people don’t have to (and many don’t)
Right now I’m shitting my pants about a 40 minute workshop I have to present at PB and wish I’d said no – but then there’s a part of me that is so excited! ECK xx
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..What did you steal from the pantry as a kid?
mamagrace71 says
You are going to do so AWESOME, babe! I wish I was going to be at Problogger this year but I will be cheering you on in spirit! Can’t wait to hear all about it! xxx
P.S Just tried leaving a comment on your post but it kept getting swallowed…boo! Will try again later x
Maria Parenti-Baldey says
Happy Birthday for 45. I always believe every year you can add on, means another year with those you care about. You have a loving family from that gorgeous lounge shot. So I hope you have a lot more badass years to come. Cheers Maria.
Maria Parenti-Baldey recently posted..Happy Father’s Day Daddy
Emily says
I will NOT have the authenticity of our friendship questioned! 😉
Glad you had a good day, Mama Grace.
Emily recently posted..Seven things I learnt from the Bendigo Writers Festival
mamagrace71 says
Ha! I would never question it, Em! x
Ness says
Belated happy birthday to you. All birthdays are good because CAKE. We are the same vintage. 1971 was a good year! You’re definitely a badass. I think beating breast cancer makes me one too.
mamagrace71 says
1971 was the best year, EVER! 🙂 And oh my gosh, Ness – you’re a breast cancer survivor! All the badass, girlfriend! x
Seana Smith says
And a very belated Happy Birthday from me too… you youngster you!
I’m a terrible facebook friend as am not on there much really so miss loads of birthdays but that’s OK cos there’s always next year or in real life… or on a blog like now. Hope you have a groovy and deeply badass year ahead.
Alicia O'Brien says
You are not 45!? Holy shiz woman, you look fine! Happy birthday 🙂
Those facebook birthday messages make my day, and everyone else I know! Pfft! Siding with you on that issue 🙂