Author A S Bielby

About me I was born in Stockton on Tees to a family living in Middlesbrough. We moved to a village near Whitby in North Yorkshire where I spent many years. I graduated from the University of East Anglia, worked as a Careers Advisor ending up as head of a university careers service. I have two children, two stepchildren and a lovely grandson. The children are grown-up with their own lives.

My husband and I came to Cyprus to live in 2007 after a hectic work life ‘to live the dream’, having finally retired from the property management business.

I have, for many years, wanted to write a book but I didn’t really know how to do it. Having met a member of the Paphos Writers Group, I decided to apply to join so have had a lot of practical help as well as encouragement to write. I am now slowly writing my novel as well as short stories. I met Glynis Smy (author of ‘Ripper, My Love’) recently, whose encouragement and help have given me a new lease of life..

My book ‘Payback Time’ is set in the North of England, as well as the south west of Cyprus. It is a romance/ family drama; how they meet and endeavour to overcome adversity, experience adventures on the way. Will they all make it intact through dark days? Time will tell.

Thursday 23 August 2012

Birthday Shock



                                     Birthday Shock 

          I can’t be! I looked in horror at the birthday card my friend had handed me.

            ‘How lovely! Thank you very much. The words are lovely. This is a nice surprise.’
I must be getting good at lying as I don’t think she realised that I felt dismay at the front of the card and the huge number that was depicted on it. I quickly calculated the years from my date of birth.

OMG she’s right!!! And there’s nothing I can do about it but accept it. In my mind I’m nowhere near that age. How did it creep upon me? Where has the time gone? I felt rather disconsolate but tried to hide it whilst I had company. We prattled on about our lives however, in the back of my mind I couldn’t help thinking that I had to accept now I’m considered old.

After she left I spoke to my husband about it. The reality of my age had really hit hard.

            ‘Well, you’ve known about it for long enough’ he replied smiling. ‘It’s only years. None of us like to think we’re old and we still do most of the things we could do when we were young. We’ve good health on the whole which is a big plus, but most of all we are still learning and are interested in things happening. We’re receptive to new ideas and open to technology so apart from the years we’re not old.’

My daughter rang.

 ‘I’ve been organising your big birthday bash and there will be nine of us to Go Ape in Dalby  Forest, with fifteen of us for the meals that weekend. We’re going to have a fantastic time.’
She went on to relate who was coming, where we were to meet, where we she had booked for us to eat etc.
            ‘It’s going to be fab! I’m looking forward to it so much. You just need to turn up.’
She continued discussing what we would do when we were staying with her. It was heart warming that she would go to so much trouble for me. Perhaps there was an upside to my having a big birthday as I was amazed that so many people would travel from all over the UK to help me celebrate.

Well I suppose I can’t escape chronology but I can have a good time. I hadn’t envisaged swinging from on high in the forest; going through an endurance course to celebrate my 70th birthday, however I was really chuffed our daughters thought that we could still do it. I would rise to the occasion whatever happened. They weren’t to know that I’m scared of heights. It was they who had bought the tickets for us to have the opportunity.

 If I have to grow old I plan to do it disgracefully. Watch out!

8 comments:

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    1. Many thanks. Your encouragement is keeping me going.
      Sx

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  2. Lovely to meet you! You have a wonderful friend in Glynis :o)

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    1. Jessica, lovely to hear from you. yes I know Glynis is a star. She has a refreshing take on writing and is a very positive person. I couldn't get this up and running without her. it was tying me in knots.
      I look forward to hearing from you again.

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  3. Love this post, Annette, especially as next year will be my big 7-0 - and I'm wondering how did I get to be so old when I still feel like I did in my 20's (well, apart from a few aches and pains LOL). But your husband is right. The number doesn't matter, it's how you feel inside that's important!

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    1. I know what you mean. There's a mis match between what I see in the mirror and how young I feel. Try not to look in it often. If you've aches then you are alive. I have them too but try to ignore them as much as possible. Lovely of you to call me. Thank you.

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