Dearest Lisa, today you turn 44, and I imagine you’ll be pleased with this palindromic birthday! What an exciting year of your life lies behind you. You’ve written books, including a *SPIEGEL* bestseller, drafted policy documents, run an election campaign, helped launch a Lord Mayor, provided bereavement support, worked shifts with the police, looked after a foster child through their daily life, said goodbye to your grandmother, and to your family dog too.
You’ve looked after your daughter’s health ahead of her solo trip through Asia, supported your husband through his career change, cheered on your sons from the sidelines, helped your choir progress, looked after your horse, made new friends, comforted old friends, filled our blog with posts, held a huge reading, pored over countless books on holiday, danced at carnival, taught apprentices, stepped out of your comfort zone and into personal growth.
You’ve spoken to me on the phone at least three million times, given me courage, listened to me cry and laugh. You’ve looked after your family, done the washing, provided breakfast for overnight guests, and picked up teenagers from the station or parties at night.
When I write all this down, it strikes me once again: you have so much energy. What’s special about your energy is that this power rubs off on everyone else. You NEVER use it to make others feel small and yourself bigger.
We’ve both come a long way side by side. We’ve been there for each other in the darkest of times and celebrated wonderful moments together. Even in the deepest of lows, your strength was never completely gone; you always picked yourself up again and rediscovered the positive in life – that must be that Cologne cheerfulness.
To me, you’ve long been a role model. I admire you for your cheerfulness and your optimism. I admire you for your social awareness and your deep desire to make the world a little better. I admire you for your creative mind and your ability to constantly reinvent yourself and keep learning.
Happy Birthday, you amazing person!
Your next year of life is sure to be no less exciting – your twins are turning 18, and with that you’re entering a whole new chapter of your life. You have everything you need to make your next year a good one. The world is waiting for people like you. And should things get a bit stormy, I’ll still be just a phone call away next year too…
Long may you live, dear Lisa. As they say: 44 and fabulous!
