Being 40
IT’S 14TH NOVEMBER again.
It is my birthday. Yes, of course. Today is Sunday. I was born on Saturday, 14th November 1981. Ooh my God, it’s 40 years now.
I have never been to this age before. It’s a new experience to me. Howbeit, there goes a famous saying, age ain’t nothing, but a number. Real?
Just on this day, 10 years back I planned to have my autobiography done when I reach 40. I even had its name. I wanted to account for many things. And, I wanted it to be launched today.
Today has arrived. I don’t have that autobiography on hand. I am not launching it. I’m just writing this post while having my breakfast at Julius Nyerere International Airport heading back home, Mbeya. Nevertheless, just yesterday, I was honoured to attend the big launch of another biography. The book, Mwanamke Mwanamapinduzi written by the famous BBC news anchor, Zuhura Yunus narrates the story of the extraordinary female Zanzibari revolutionary, Biubwa Amour Zahor. It was a big event. Connected me to numerous people.
How does it feel being 40? So wonderful. Above all, so grateful.
Multifurious people have been telling me, life begins at 40. Do they mean I haven’t lived before? What was I doing?
While reflecting on how it feels being on 4th floor, I came to realize, life began exactly when I was conceived. Even so, I have understood, sometimes in a very hard way, forty years are full of trials and errors. And, this doesn’t mean I have graduated now. Ooh no! At least, I’m more experienced than ever before.
Imagine having my CV scribbled, Experienced in doing mistakes for 40 years.
I am yet to achieve my dreams; besides, I’m grateful for the masses. The biggest thing, to be alive and healthy. To have fathered a wonderful daughter, K. To have developed a writing career. To have acquired good education. To have travelled to bounteous places of the world. To have learned enormously. To have my mom and many relatives as my best friends. To have you, who always take your time to read me.
Those are loads of things to be grateful for.
When the second month of this year came, I contacted COVID-19. I almost gave up to see another day, leaving alone reaching 40. During this period, I learned, in the hard ways, two important lessons.
First, I learned that family, relatives and friends love is most important thing in life. Reams of people just left everything in their daily routines to be with me. To risk their lives. To fight with me. To make sure I bounce back. That’s greatest love of all. I wish I was able to pay them back. Today, I will be having a lunch with some of them upon my arrival at Mbeya. I know that’s not enough. I keep them in my thoughts and prayers. Everyday.
Second, I have learned in the very, very, very (I emphasize) hard way that it is never a good thing to live alone. Especially, at my age. But, as I have said before, my 40 years have been of trials and errors. Howbeit, I am thankful for all the lessons in life.
Yes, I am 40 now. I have lost myriad things during these years. I have lost my father, my love, job, friends and many that I can’t even remember. Per contra, I am grateful to be here writing this.
They still insist that, life begins at 40. And, I reply, I have been living and I am living. Withal, I know now I have to approach life boldly.
Do people wish themselves, a happy birthday?
I am here wishing myself, happy birthday, Fadhy. I pray that life treats me well. And, to have happiness and laughter as my cuisines, everyday.
It feels good to be forty. I pray to the Almighty God that I see 50, 60, 70, 80 and many more as per His wishes.
Let’s enjoy together.
Fadhy Mtanga,
Julius Nyerere International Aiport,
Dar es Salaam.
Sunday, November 14th, 2021.
