Oprah reminisces on 70th birthday
Media mogul Oprah Winfrey, who turned 70 on Monday, revealed that while many of her friends were trying to get her to do “something big” for the occasion, she had other ideas. Writing in an essay for her OprahDaily website, she said: “I had such pressure from all my friends to do something big, something special; to have a dinner, a party or luncheon — or to go somewhere like a spa, a hike, a resort, or to meditate in Nepal.
“I thought about it all, took in all their suggestions, and finally did what one friend, Wintley, recommended. He said, ‘You’re too blessed to stress. Savour the fragrances of your extraordinary life.’ It reminded me of the last line of Love After Love, one of my favourite poems by Derek Walcott: ‘Sit. Feast on your life.’
“So that’s what I’ve been doing — going through old journals, photos, memory boxes, feasting, savouring, and marvelling at the discovery, pain, joy, and wonder of 70 years of growing into the woman I am,” Winfrey said.
The former talk-show host added that even though turning 70 has made her realise that she has more time behind her than in front of her, she takes “great satisfaction” in knowing that every year so far has been “worth it”.
She said: “What I celebrate this birthday (and beyond) is knowing that the person I know myself to be and the work that has come straight from being has mattered. At my age, you recognise the poignancy of time passing.
“Seventy resonates, letting you know for sure that there are not as many years remaining as you’ve already consumed. I take great satisfaction in accepting that, regardless of how many more suns are left — the rising each time has been worth it.”