I’m 50. I do not feel any different or significantly changed. I’m just another year older and hopefully wiser.

I took a big trip with my sisters to the UK. We went to see Manchester City play both home at the Etihad and away. The away game was in London at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace.

I connected with my first cousin Alain-Gabriel (54) and my Aunt Alix (88) in London. Alix came from Paris with her husband Jean-Jacques. Alain has made a home for himself in north London over the last 25 years. I met his wife Yolanda for the first time and one of his sons.

He was an incredible host. His home was lovely. I was overwhelmed by the opening of his home to me and my sisters, Simone and Heloise.

I was overwhelmed by the level of openness and appreciated my cousin’s generosity. I was not expecting it. Nor did he have to do what he did.

I am feeling grateful. I hope that I can somehow repay him or his family. However, I don’t know how I will be able to.

Not sure what I am trying to say here or what it means. I am feeling grateful. I am feeling loved. I am feeling overwhelmed that I mattered. If you know me, you know I take self-loathing and low self-esteem to beyond Woody Allen levels.

As my old friend from college used to say, you are “self-defeated”

Anyway, thanks everyone for all the birth day wishes. I felt loved, appreciated and without a doubt loved.