scream and shout

~istanbul & 50

I woke up at 4:48 this morning and kissed 53 right on the lips. Because I keep tiny white lights up everywhere and it was dark and I wasn't really awake - 53 looked like 29 42 47 in the bathroom mirror. And I splashed my face with ice-cold water and let myself off the hook for all the stupid things I've done on my way to becoming 53. The best birthday present ever. Then I made coffee, lit a candle, and made two wishes for my daughters and one for me involving two long & happy lives and one book contract from New York. Then I found this photograph from my 50th birthday. I had been in Istanbul for exactly three weeks and locked myself out of my flat. A gorgeous architect who lived on the 11th floor helped me get back in. He took me out for my 50th birthday. The date lasted for 120 days and was the best date ever.