My 60th birthday was magical because…
Over60 community members share their personal tales and memories of a great milestone: their 60th birthday. The responses were diverse but a common thread among all was that it was a special occasion to reflect and celebrate with the most important people in your life.
The 60th is a time for birthday miracles…
“Four months before my 60th birthday I received a kidney transplant. I celebrated my birthday with family as I was not up to a large party but I was extremely happy to be here and no longer on dialysis. My 60s are the start of my new life.” – Toni Speechley
“I was undergoing chemo but my family organised a big party for me with interstate family and friends. We surprised our guests by renewing our wedding vows. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house even the staff cried and I was well enough to walk down the aisle with our three grandbabies to where my husband waited with our children and partners.” – Shandi Stevens
Related link: 3 easy recipes you can cook with your grandchildren
There were many surprises…
“My daughter and I booked a holiday to Malaysia to celebrate my 60th. The travel agent we booked with was also celebrating their 60th birthday and had a competition with 60 prizes. I won the main prize – a European River Cruise including flights for two! What a year that was! Celebrated with my daughter then celebrated with a friend on a trip that I would never have been able to afford!” – Shirley McIlroy
“My husband and kids organised a 'Winter Wonderland' party (due to our name!) and had a 'This is Your Life' segment with surprise guests from interstate and a video cross from a school friend in the UK. A wonderful night!” – Elaine Winter
It’s the perfect occasion for a trip down memory lane…
“I had the best birthday ever. My three kids and partner picked me up in a mini bus all decorated in balloons, food and wine. We toured all the places I had lived in in my 60 years. Schools I had been too and where I got married. Came home to all my family and friends all ready to party. Surprise!! Can't wait for my 70th.” – Helen Dodds
There were many who donated to worthy causes…
“My 60th was a night to remember... I had a ‘Pyjama Party’, with square dancing, including a caller. The night was a fund raiser for MS, so instead of gifts for me everyone was ask to make a small donation to MS. I'm so happy to say we raised $2000 on the night. Friends and family travelled from Melbourne and Brisbane to help make my 60th a great night... I made it all about MS as my daughter-in-law has MS so we know firsthand the impact.” – Judith Ann Stringer
Others used their birthdays to do some quiet introspection…
“I did something radically different. As I was single, I asked all my family and friends NOT to phone me or send cards. Instead, I started a blog and invited those people to leave messages there. That was so nice. A week after my birthday I took it down from the net. Getting back to my actual birthday, I just wanted a day of reflection (very similar to the American Day of Thanksgiving). I just had a great day appreciating what I had in life and that so many of my friends and family never made it to 60. On that day, I never saw or spoke to anyone. Very fulfilling day.” – Rod Lovell
Related link: these are some of the most outrageous family photos we've seen
And if you’re still stuck for ideas for upcoming birthdays…
“For my 60th I filled the basket with friends and family and went hot air ballooning.” – Sharon Turner
“I invited 30 of my nearest and dearest to a night of fun and laughter at the Sydney Seafood School for a cooking class. The invitation mentioned that guests would have to ‘cook their own dinner’. It was a great and unique night that everyone enjoyed.” – Lynne Russo
“We put the band back together a la ‘blues brothers’ added s couple of gorgeous backup singers and rocked the night away. Theme was ‘come as your favourite rock or movie star’. Every one made a huge effort. The night was an amazing success.” – Harry Adlerstein
“Didn't want a party but SO wanted to parachute out of a plane so that’s what my family arranged for me and I absolutely LOVED it! Would do it again in a heartbeat.” – Jan Ridout
“I had a 60 minus the zero party – a 6th party. As a child growing up we didn’t have parties, so we had all the old games of yesterday year. Egg and spoon, sack race, three legged race and so on. Little food bites, sandwiches, cakes and a lolly table with the old lollies. I had a ball. I didn’t want any presents only to have my family surrounding me. It was like herding cats but we managed the photo and I treasure it. Last year when I turned 61, I had a 16th, this year I'll have a 26th and it goes on and on…” – Judy Percy
“My 60th birthday was some time ago, however it’s is a wonderful memory. I celebrated with 48 girlfriends at a luncheon on the Saturday before my birthday. Each person had a calico square sent with the invitation with a message for them to create something on the square that represented their friendship with me. Each square was then put together to create this wonderful quilt of treasured memories of my life with friends. Every square is different and tells a wonderful story.” – Ann Butcher
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