Today is known to christians as the epiphany, the twelfth night, allegedly the day when the three wise men arrived at the side of the holy child.
It's the last day for xmas decorations.
It's also on or around the peak for reported incidents of domestic violence in the U.K.
It's also Roman Atkinson's birthday, and Mine.
Today I'm 45.
I am way too young to be 45 but the numbers, apparently, don't lie.
30 years ago today I was 15.
I was one week away from competing in my first ever international basketball match against Ireland in Dundee.
We lost by 3 points (put that in for David and James from Ireland) and I missed the last shot of the game, a 3 pointer to level.
It took me 4 years of my young life and some weeks 20 hours to get there. It was worth it.
I had no idea what I wanted to do when I "grew up".
20 years ago today I was 25.
Alison took me out for a surprise meal with friends. I was an SHO in surgery in Derby, studying for my final surgical fellowship exams.
I couldn't believe where I had ended up in my career, I was astounded I was "allowed" to be a dentist, let alone on the verge of admission to fellowship of a royal college.
I sat that exam with one of my very very best friends Craig. We both passed. We both had chances to go to medical school to be Max-fac Surgeons.
Craig went and I didn't, I still had no idea what I wanted to do when I "grew up".
(Craig is an astonishing head and neck surgeon and inspiration to me).
10 years ago today I was 35. I was about 15 stones and had been working for the same husband and wife partnership in their practices for almost 10 years. I had built up a referral service for surgery and implants with NHS contracts and my own associates (honestly, an associate with associates). I was teaching and "experting" and working like a dog.
More importantly I was married for nearly 8 years with two beautiful daughters.
I really had no idea what I wanted to do when I "grew up".
Today I'm 45.
The associateship fell apart (In 2008) when the partners sold to IDH. I left immediately.
I lost my contract with the NHS, my associates, my referral bases.
I left with apparently nothing and started 2 new business, one of which I have since sold. I own my own practice, better that I could ever imagined.
I work with some of the most wonderful, caring, committed and inspirational people.
I am still (really happily) married. My daughters are wonderful and I also have a son who is 9.
I am fitter than anytime than when I played that game against Ireland. (Rode 60 miles today - 13st 5lbs.
I really, really still have no idea what I want to do or even when I will (if ever grow up).
Honestly I hope I don't.
My decade jumps have been astonishing, exponential leaps to somewhere else that I could never have expected.
They have been achieved, though, by trying to push the line to the right a tiny bit each day, that's how things get built.
At 25 I had a huge midlife crisis. The whole thing, the why am I here, the fear of death, the what is it all about.
Since then I am pretty pleased with how I have spent my time, not perfect by a long way but contented.
I have a long stated aim to try to be involved with dentistry in some way until I'm 85, health permitting.
No idea what the next jumps will be or if and when I will grow up but just really, really, really excited to see what it looks like.
Happy epiphany (please don't hit your spouse today).
If you want a laugh from Rowan click here
Blog Post Number: 1178
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