This weekend, my dad turns 70. Seventy years of life, stories, lessons, and love. It’s such a milestone and one that fills me with excitement and pride, but also a quiet awareness of how quickly life moves by. When my mum passed away in 2022 at 67, my perspective shifted forever. I learned, painfully, that time is not promised, and love is the only legacy that truly lasts. Losing her made me hold my dad even closer, not out of fear, but out of deep appreciation for the blessing of his presence.
My dad has faced his share of health challenges. Some of those moments left my brother and I holding our breath, waiting for the doctor’s words. But here’s what I’ve learned from him, mindset matters! Even when his body wasn’t at its strongest, his determination and humor carried him through. And now, in his golden years, he chooses to live with us, filling our home with warmth, stories, and the kind of wisdom you only get from a life fully lived.
I love my dad with all my heart. I also worry about his health, about aging, about the chapters ahead. But I’m learning that worry steals the joy of the moment. Instead of letting my mind race toward “what if,” I remind myself to anchor in “what is.” And what is right now is beautiful! He’s here, he’s loved, and we get to share this time precious time together.
That’s the mindset shift aging has taught me, that it's necessary to stop treating life like a race to the next thing, the next chapter, the next goal and instead, slow down enough to feel the texture of it all. To see the beauty in a shared cup of tea, a retold story, or even the quiet presence of someone you love in the next room.
I’m in my 40s now, and I’ve realized something very powerful in the last few years, aging is not just about getting older, it’s about getting richer, richer in love, in wisdom, in self-respect. Watching my dad navigate his 70 years has reminded me to build a life I’m proud of now, so I never have to look back wishing I had been braver, kinder, or more present.
So, this weekend as we celebrate him, his life, his resilience, and the love he’s poured into our family; I invite you to celebrate, too. Not just birthdays, but the everyday moments that build the story of your life. Because when we shift our mindset toward gratitude, we realize we’re not just counting the years, we’re making years count!
Happy 70th, Dad. You are proof that a good life isn’t measured in the number of candles on the cake, but in the light you’ve brought into the lives of others. I love you today, tomorrow and always. Love your little girl.
Cheers,
Coach Jo <3
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