I am going to be 70 only once! - I told myself as I planned a celebration and thanksgiving for all the good things in life, my family and friends, and the beauty of life and nature. 'It's time to turn away from the dark things that are afoot in the world today, the hate, the intolerance and the inability of people to get along. For once, I will focus on the positive, the beautiful and awesome'. And I did.
It actually started with my friend Marianne's decision to organise a party for me with our mutual friends. Marianne is my oldest friend in Australia. She called me to introduce herself two weeks after my arrival, as she was friends of my family in Melbourne. We have been friends ever since and she has been my rock when things became hard for a while.
While Marianne 'did her thing', I thought it would be nice to have my own party to thank all the people who have supported me during my illness last year. As I don't have much money, I negotiated a very reasonable per head price for a party with my local cafe, which opened about the time I was first diagnosed with cancer in 2006, and where I have been a 'regular', with all my ups and downs.
Both parties were sensational. The Cafe Cabaret was first. I had friends from almost every aspect of my eclectic life - family, writers, filmmakers, singers, actors, scientists, journalists, community organisers, etc, etc. My friend Dahlia Dior adapted Sophie Tucker's 'Life Begins at 40' monologue to 'Life begins at 70' and sang Edit Piaf's 'Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien', which brought the house down and everyone in the cafe sang it with us. Then, my multitalented actress friend, Abi Rayment read the poem my friend Sue Cartledge wrote for the occasion. And, of course I gave a big thank you speech for all that people did for me during the past year. One of the most touching moments for me was when James Balian, a writer I greatly respect, but don't know very well, dropped by 'just to give you a hug', because he didn't have time to sit down with us. His thoughtfulness really made my evening.
Marianne's party was different. It was all old friends who have known me for a very long time and with whom I have had very close personal bonds almost from my arrival in Sydney in 1991. It was amazing. The food at both events was sensational. I am still watching my weight from it (just kidding). I think the T-shirt from Tunde is very appropriate for my week of celebrating My Big Fat 70th Birthday.
And a heartfelt thanks to everyone who enabled me to forget the Big C for a whole week. It was a wonderful respite. Thank you.
