43

I am 43 today. For my birthday, I gifted myself a DreamStation 2, which is a PlayStation for grown men with sleep apnea. Yes, I have been diagnosed with a mild case of apnea. I started using the CPAP machine last night and it didn’t feel so bad. The mask covered both my nose and mouth. It forced my mouth closed; therefore, I was not snoring. At least I thought I didn’t. I breathed mostly through my nose, which is the proper way to breathe.

42 was the most horrendous year of my life. In addition to the pandemic, I have lost both of my parents a month apart. I still haven’t recovered from the shock, the depression, and the grief, but my life needs to go on. I still have four kids to raise. I still have my wife and my mother-in-law. I still have my brothers and sisters. I still have my life ahead.

My professional career is settled. I still work with wonderful, caring, talented colleagues. Outside of my full-time job, I still get to do what I love such as blogging, typesetting, and building websites.

My health seems to be fine thus far. I am hoping to stay healthy as I get older. I still enjoy ice skating with the kids. I also challenge myself with ice-skating lessons. The kids seem to lose interest in rollerblading, but I still enjoy skating at my own pace. I don’t need to go to a rink to rollerblade. The skateparks are always free and I can always rollerblade on bike trails.

As far as life in general, things seem to be getting back to normal. I had my first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. I am getting my next one in two weeks. My wife and I are getting along well for the most part. We don’t have much choice since we have four kids to look after.

As far as personal development, I am staying away from controversies. I am focusing on myself and my family. I don’t need to compare or compete with others. I live my life accordingly and do my best for my kids without spoiling them.

At 43, I don’t wish for much. I am just taking off work on my birthday to relax a bit and to hang out with my kids, and maybe some private moments with my wife. That’s enough celebration for me.

As a tradition, I deactivated my Facebook a few days prior to my birthday and will see how long that will last. I shared too much on that platform, and yet my friend list have been shrinking. My Trump-loving friends and relatives had unfriended me. I tried to save those relationships, but those ships had sailed a long time ago. I am a bit sad, but nothing much I can do. Life goes on the way it does. It’s not the end of the world. The older I get, the less I give a damn. I am just trying to take things easy.