Have you spent any time thinking about what your 40th birthday will mean to you? Are you already past 40 and full of wonderful wisdom you can share? I’m thinking about that dreaded decade of my 40’s more then I care to admit lately. Now wait a second. I still have almost an entire year before the big four oh, the problem is the remarkable number of “Surprise” parities, 40th birthday parties, and cocktail parties I have been attending as of late.
I have concluded that 40th birthday parties are kind of like funerals. Seriously! Seems to me the 40th party is a huge reflection of the birthday guy or gal….it gives us a glimpse into what there very last get together might look like too.
That great big surprise party that I went to back in February. That girl had every person she had ever met show up at that thing. It was sickly sweet, short and to the point. Just like her. Got me thinking. Wouldn’t her funeral be the EXACT same way? That girl would pack the house.
The outdoor bon fire party starring the reformed partier that went until the wee hours. He is the guy who NEVER misses a GOOD paaarrttyy. Fer sure his funeral would be a rowdy celebration of his life, followed up by a massive wake and cheers all around.
The party that I threw this weekend for a girlfriends 40th. It was politely attended by her nearest and dearest friends, and all of their kids. There were some good laughs, fabulous food, great wine. Yep. Her funeral would be the same way. Civil, nice, polite.
Well folks, I’m not going out like this. On my 40th birthday I am leaving this country on a plane. I will be somewhere disgustingly romantic that helps me stroke something off my bucket list. Think Paris, or the Grand Caymen Islands. I’m not sharing my 40th birthday with anyone but my Hubby and maybe my kids, cause apparently I am all kinds of selfish like that. Does this mean no one will come to my funeral? That the funeral parlour will be empty. Just me and my laptop?
Crap.
Do you think they have twitter in heaven? Well, at least I’ll be smiling until the day I find out!
So tell me, how do you see your 40th birthday?
Mwah
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Honestly, I think it takes a close death to really think of how you’d want your funeral. I did do a post on it once upon a time. Admittedly, right after attending a funeral. I don’t want a funeral, per se, just a gathering of folks to celebrate a life of someone they knew. I don’t “do” funerals… hate ’em (well, I mean, I don’t know ANYONE that LIKES them) but I despise the whole dead body thing. It oogies me out!
For my 40th (which will be 12/20/12), I’d like to do that BUT since it’s around Christmastime, it’s damn near impossible to do ANYTHING because of having children and such. Maybe I’ll do a trip to New York City with dear hubs because all the passes I like to drive in Colorado will be closed by then! Hmm… at least I’ve got some time to contemplate.
I’m not one on big parties and Hell would have to freeze over before my husband lifted a finger to do anything until the day before an event. Seriously, someone ELSE will have to plan my funeral for me or there just wont be one.
You are too funny. I think you’ll have a great turnout to your funeral even if you skip town for the big 4-0 🙂
I am 36…so it’s a few years away. I’m not sure yet what I’ll do…but it will be a BIG deal.
As far as hitting somewhere great….we went to Virgin Gorda a couple years ago. The absolute most gorgeous non tourist-y island ever!!
I will come to your funeral even if I am not invited on the big
40th bday trip.
Mine was a big surprise…my husband flew me to NYC for a long weekend and surprised me with 7 of our closest friends….nice hotel, big dinners, The farm aid concert with vip seats? perfect and memorable.
You can call this “Old Bat” wisdom since I’m going to be 50 next year. Every year you get is a gift, once you lose someone well before their time, you realize that every birthday is a gift regardless of what number you attach to it.
“Old age is a priviledge that not everyone gets to experience”
Enjoy each and every year honey 🙂
Since I’ll be dead for my funeral, I will do it up for the 40th. At least I’ll remember that.
I’m thinking good food and a boat with crystal blue waters…
So funny you posted about this! I am 37 and recently started thinking that since I haven’t ever been married that I should go all out and make my 39th birthday party basically like a wedding would be. I’m even thinking of saving up for a ring to buy myself for the occasion. Gather all my friends that have remained my friends over the years and just party it up for a couple days! Sounds fun to me. And if it ends up being a template for my funeral, then I have some lucky friends and family. 🙂
That is too funny! Personally I love the idea of leaving the country for my 40th! My husband is a last minute, go out and grab a gift kinda guy, so I know that if I want a party, *I* would be the one to plan it!
And my funeral? Darling, I plan on outliving all my friends (and hubby) so who will be around but family to show up? 😉
The City of Lights…yeah…That’s how I wanna celebrate my 40th!!
I never looked at it that way. When I first began reading, I was planing my hubby’s and my 40th until you related it to a funeral and I don’t want to go out like that either. Not to mention if I had one I’ll probably start crying because I’ll be thinking of my funeral. lol
Hmmmm. I wonder if we should start a new bloggy funeral for us. We could have it on a live webcam. Everyone could turn the sound on so we could hear crying. ….
I’m all about going somewhere exotic! After all, partying in a far-away location is so much more exciting than doing it at home!
i’m trying to figure out this current age before I think of 40. I have no doubt there willbe NO party.
I refuse to think that far ahead…I don’t wanna turn 40! I don’t wanna turn 26 because I have been 25 for **ahem** several years, I won’t say how many though.
Hey Modern Mom,
I haven’t really thought of how I’d spend my 40’s…but I def like your idea…just another reason to take a trip…and a romantic one 😉
Enjoy.
S
i so AM LOVING your idea of a 40th birthday….
spend it with the ones THAT MEAN THE MOSTEST!!!!!