My Wake while I was still Awake

As I approached my 80th Birthday recently, I also faced my 4th surgery in twelve months. I began to think over my life, how full it has been, the different careers I've had, and what I had achieved. I realised I owed so much to the people who had shared all or even some of my journey and decided I had to let those people know how much I appreciated their love, support, advice, laughter and tears. I decided my 80th Birthday party would be for them - a chance for me to gather together family, friends, colleagues from my several careers, students, fellow travellers, members of my numerous organsations, supporters of my charities, actors and entertainers I had performed with and people I hadn't seen for years and may not see again.
My local theatre offered the venue and 125 + turned up. I catered and my husband paid the bar tab. Unfortunately I was wheelchair bound awaiting back surgery two days later, or else I would have entertained them too.
What a blast it was! Guests provided entertainment and shared memories onstage of my many lives and as many didn't know about each other - there was so much laughter and surprises shared.
For me, all the planning and preparation was so worth every minute to see people again, long lost family appearing, remembering so many happy times and watching new friendships being made among my guests.
My new great granddaughter was introduced as our next generation member and then the biggest gift of all was the shock appearance of my daughter from France. A secret kept from me.
I told people they didn't need to come to my funeral now as I was so glad to see them all gathered, talking about me, enjoying food and drink at my expense and best of all I was still alive to enjoy it with them.
So don't leave it too late. Life is fleeting. Let people know how much they are loved and appreciated while you still can. I am so glad I held my "Wake while I was still awake".