Last night family and friends gathered for a “think pink” party for me. It was partly for my birthday (let’s not talk numbers) and partly to raise funds for the Look Good Feel Better program for breast cancer patients. (I asked people to donate to the cause rather than spend it on presents for me.) Everyone was asked to wear something pink. Some stayed conservative and limited it to a pink tie, or pink handkerchief in the pocket or, with the ladies, some pink jewellery. And, they all looked great. Others went all out, dressing up from head to toe in pink, and they looked hilarious. (Hooray!)

One chap came as a pink pig, with piggy face mask and a lovely curly, plastic pink tail. Another guy wore pink pyjamas, pink bunny slippers and pink sunglasses. (Very, Sir Elton.) One lady came as a pink mermaid with a gorgeous pink fish tail, pink swimming cap and goggles. One couple came as the Almost Scarlet Pimpernel, complete with cape and feathered hat, and Almost Red Riding Hood, with a toy wolf in her basket.

I was delighted, tickled, proud, impressed and overwhelmed with joy. I have some wonderful family and friends. My daughter had excelled herself in decorating the hall with pink cloths, pink balloons, pink cups and cutlery, pink glitter and pink fairy lights. My son-in-law baked all the desserts and cake. My son paid for most of the desserts and most of the bar tab. He and son-in-law were great MCs for the night, too. Best of all, we raised over $1000 for the cause. I hope everyone had fun. Unfortunately I wasn’t feeling too well for most of the night, so didn’t get any dessert, barely any first course and no pink moscato from the bar. Bummer!

Looking around the room at family and friends, all sorts of wonderful memories came flooding back. There were childhood memories of Sunday School anniversaries; High School; University days; the early years of marriage and, back in the 70s, singing in the Folk Den (in the local pub) with another couple with whom we’re still friends today. There were memories of my time in America both in 70/71 and 2004. (Wish I could go again.) There were photos of my parents, now both gone, and pictures of the Old Boy and me with our babies, when they were babies. (Gosh, we were so young!) Then photos of my grand-babies. Pictures of me at a couple of different graduation ceremonies, preaching, and being with church friends. Pictures of me at Disneyland, cuddling up to Donald Duck, and posing with a genuine Indian…

It made me realise just how blessed a life I’ve had so far. In spite of all the sad, tragic and debilitating things that have made life difficult, the joy has far outweighed it all. And, the common denominator? People who love me.

So, thank you to anyone and everyone who has been and who is now in my life. To my friends overseas: how I wish I could visit you all and give you a big hug. To the people from my past, thanks for shaping me into the person I am today. To the people who are in my life now, thanks for taking on the challenge. To the few who have hung in over the long haul, thanks for your loving faithfulness. And to my family, thanks for making my life rich with love and joy. I am a truly blessed woman.

Think pink, folks!