Maxine Hanks

I can't believe how much you've accomplished in 40 short years! That's enough to celebrate, alone! Life finally begins at 40. For me, 39-40 were the best 2 years of my life, absolutely. I loved my 40s, it's the best decade in life because you know enough to live the way you really want to, the way you deserve to, yet you're young enough to have the energy to do it all! My first wish for you is to make every year in this precious decade count, and fulfill any unmet but essential dreams now.

Every memory I have of you is memorable and positive. You're bursting with life and positive energy, you've always been such an uplift for me. I felt your amazing soul the first time we met, at Sonja's Farnsworth's Sunstone party, you were such a blast, I knew I had to get to know you.

When I found out that we lived one block from each other it was hilarious, esp. trying to coordinate our schedules-- a hilarious task finding a time that worked for both of us! Proof that life is far too busy.

I'll never forget our Saturday at Einstein's Bagels for a long talk about Boston / Cambridge. I was leaving for Harvard, entirely intimidated, with no experience of New England. You were my adviser, friend, mentor, giving me a sense of Boston, how to approach it, master it, and fall in love with it. Without you, I'd have had zero confidence when I got off the plane. This was a REALLY big deal to me. You were a godsend, made a huge difference in my approach to that adventure and its success. I'm indebted to you.

I also remember the fun parties at your apt. and on our beloved Avenues block, from F to G...what does it mean? Feminists and Godessess? ;-) You were the only visiting teacher I ever liked, even though we just pretended.

I loved our long, heartfelt dinner at Oasis before you moved to D.C. when we shared personal yearnings, experiences, disappointments, and hopes. That was one of the more memorable conversations of my life. It felt like we were comparing soul journeys, not just lives. I had the sense then, as I have still, that your path would unfold as it should, including relationships, that you deserved and would find a great guy, if you insist that the universe reveal to you what you deserve.

And how could I forget your mothering me through a BAD trip! The only time in my life I've had a bad trip, I was so sick, I was crying in my unhospitable hotel room at the horrible Harrington in DC. And there you were on the phone, every day, taking time to comfort, reassure, help and advise me, offering solutions and options so I wouldn't be stranded or alone or overwhelmed. You helped me sort through alternatives to get myself through that awful, disappointing week and its major letdowns, losses, and get back home. Again, I'm indebted to you.

What I remember most, is that you've always been a source of light, love, energy, joy, and life in it's truest sense. You don't simply live, you radiate, you affect life. I admire that so much, and wish I had your positive energy.

I love knowing you're always there, in the emails that pop into my box.

For your 40th birthday, do what you want, please yourself, choose yourself, your own happiness. For my 40th, I had a big party and dance. If I had to do it over, I'd have flown to California and stayed with my boyfriend for two weeks, driving the coast, eating at romantic bistros, running on the beach.

Seize the day, seize the year!

LOVE and HUGS !