48. Not sure how that happened, but I am damn glad to be here. I remember feeling kind of ick about turning 40. Then, at 41, after I was diagnosed with cancer, I beat myself up pretty bad about complaining when I wasn’t sure what 42 was going to look like...or worse. But, God willing, as the years have passed, I’ve learned to forgive myself for those very standard human thought patterns.  

My Father (Pete) passed away on my 30^th birthday. Understandably, for a good many years, it felt like I couldn’t celebrate on a day so cemented in pain. All I wanted was to skip over the day unnoticed. This made it hard on the people who loved me who just wanted to do nice things. I don’t regret those years of just wanting the day to pass, but at 41, my days of dreading my own birthday ended. Do I still get sad and pissed off? Sure, of course (some might say a little heavier on the pissed off side)… but I don’t waste full days on those feelings any longer.

When Pete was on his death bed, he asked me what I would do if my life was half over. This question triggered a series of actions that I am proud to say have worked out. So, over the last seventeen years, I try to use my birthday as a reset and a refocus. I try to pick something out that’s a little scary and go for it.

In 2023 after my last surgery, I put my fear to the side by asking for support on what seemed like a "crazy idea." Somehow, I talked a few amazing friends in to walking 60 miles with me to raise money for Susan G. Komen during their 3-Day-Walk in San Diego. I walked with some very important names printed on my socks. When I got tired or my feet bled, I just looked down and kept walking.

So, I am walking again this year in San Diego November14-November 16.  Can you donate? Can you join the team and walk? If you can’t do either of those but you can send me your good vibes, I’ll take those as well. Click here to join the team or to donate: the3day.org/goto/JennieSmythe

Thank you for making this year my best birthday yet.

Be good online… and in real life,
Jennie