38 turns

On this day, 38 years ago, a child was born. He would go on to be the saviour of all humankind and to change the world.

Want to know a secret? That baby was me.

Whether it’s the story of my nan riding a scooter through a snowstorm to see me or the rabbi coming knocking when he heard there was a new Jewish prince in town, news of my birth has always been shrouded in whimsical tales. Rumour has it that it was one of only two occasions when my grandpa cried (the other being when Frank Sinatra died).

But where has it got us? What has it all been for?

A swimming badge for successfully picking up a brick from the bottom while dressed in my pyjamas.

A professional qualification in financial crime.

A number one bestseller in Italy.

These are trivial compared to what I really know I have at this point. Some semblance of inner peace and a respect for the man I have become. I like to think I’m well thought of to those I care about. It’s always been my people pleasing way to put others before myself. I hope that it shines. To feel comfortable in my skin and to know that life is actually pretty good in my microcosm is a wonderful thing. I’ve got me people, I’ve got me person, I’ve got me dog.

So here we go for yet another spin. I can’t wait.