To be honest, I never thought I would make it past the half century.

As a kid I was a sickling, a "little turkey," as we say in Venezuelan spanish. At school, I used to start the school year late because I was usually sick by September. I never had big dreams. I just thought of the day the fevers, tonsillitis, and headaches would stop. I was tired of being skinny and the butt of most jokes among the kids in my neighborhood.

I was smart, though. I learned things fast and for a while that paid off. My inability to partake of most sports made me an introvert and made reading my best friend.

In the long run, after meritocracy stopped being valued in my country, that probably worked against me.

Today, as I wake up to a wonderful practical present from my girls, I can't help thinking how time and life perspectives changes as we grow old.

As a kid, to turn twenty was eagerly anticipated as an achievement. I vividly remember being lectured in 4th grade about the importance of behaving and not being naughty (after some of my clown classmates had made one of their silly performances). We were all 10 and the teacher told us we were half men, already subject to scrutiny for unruling behavior.

I remember wondering how cool it would be to turn 20, so we'd be considered full men.

It so happened that the twenties, like the promissed futuristic century, arrived without much ado.

It was not until the 30s that the first successes were achieved and responsibilities assumed. However, progress and stability, other childhood expectations, were soon to reveal their mythological nature.

Serious setbacks came with the 40s, but also opportunies for reinvention and learning. Life is a constant roller coaster. Nothing is guaranteed, especially the happy ending, but we all get our UPS, which must be treasures and enjoyed.

Today I am thankful for every win and every loss; for every old and new friend; for every loved one near or far. Much of what happens and will happen is out of our control and the only path to peace and fulfilment comes from an honest commitment to the most fundamental and universal human values.