65th Birthday Speech

To the guests at my birthday party, 2025

It’s weird to consider I’m 65 years old. Because by my counting, I’m at least 100. I feel I have not lived one life time, but three or four.

I remember as a tween when I was first plagued by the question, what’s the point of life? It’s not far from what is my purpose, and I was able to quell that question as I went through my various passions: gymnastics. Piano. Yoga. Dance. The Garden. 

But always that question bothered me. What’s the fucking point of it all? 

Until finally this past year, my 64th, just in the nick of time, I realized I’ve been asking the wrong question. 

The question isn’t what’s the point. That’s a question that cannot be answered. The questions is, what’s the best use of my life? That’s a question I can answer. 

So  I’ve done what feels like a win-win, of contributing, of helping to move things along and hopefully make things a little better for others. 

Of course along the way, I’ve meet plenty of people who that wasn’t really their thing. And you know what? They’re not here today. 

But I’ve also met plenty of people who were using their lives well. Not just for themselves. And here you are. 

Please stand and remain standing when I call your name. 

Here’s to Clan Elliott, who have been with me since the beginning. I couldn’t ask for a better crew. 

Here’s to my daughter, Mal, aka Trixie, aka The Smooch, who feels to me like she has always been here. I could write a book about you. 

And to my husband, Sandy Brown, the inspiration for whom I coined “the thundering hooves of bullshit.” He is a lover of humanity, knower of things, and gifted of thigh.  My only regret is we met so late in life. 

And to everyone else. If you are here, it’s because you mean something to me. Whether a new friend or 40 years and counting, you made my life smarter, funnier, and worth doing. 

Cheers. 

©️Theresa Elliott, all rights reserved