I'm lucky!

Yesterday was my birthday....it's not the first birthday I've had since moving to Sydney as I had one last year just after we emigrated but this year was a big one with a 0 at the end!!! Jeff and Melanie obviously knew that I would find it harder than usual (not only cos of the big number!) but because if I was back in England would have had a big party, etc so they tried to make it very special for me. On Monday as it was a public holiday they made me a special birthday tea and invited over several of Jeff's family all of who bought me lovely thoughtful presents and we had a lovely afternoon. Yesterday, my actual birthday, Melanie took off from work and took me to the Sanctuary Day Spa for a few hours of the most wonderful pampering sessions and a champagne lunch and then in the afternoon a friend came over for afternoon tea and birthday cake! My house looks and smells like a florist shop, I've never had so many flowers at one time and I am so touched by the the fact that 2 of my special friends in England took the time and trouble to arrange to send me beautiful bouquets and I got some lovely cards with special words in them. Nothing can take away the hardship of being so far from people you love especially when it's a birthday, anniversary, etc BUT it has made me realise that your family and true friends will always be just that and no distance can take that away.....
I am very lucky to have such a wonderful family (both mine and Jeff's) and true friends.....