Milestone Celebrations: How and Why We Make Special Birthdays or Anniversaries Life-Affirming Events

Some birthdays stand out as milestones along the paths of our lives. Whether it’s a 50th, 60th or even 70th birthday, many folks take the occasion to do something really special, something out of the ordinary – maybe even particularly challenging or life-affirming. What drives people to mark these occasions in a remarkable way? And what will you do on your next milestone birthday?

Eleanor Chin, an outreach manager for a media production company, opted for growth. In planning for her 50th birthday, she cast about for some activity that (1) she had never done before; (2) would push her own limits; and (3) she would always remember.

A non-swimmer with a fear of heights, Chin hit on the perfect activity. As always, her birthday fell during her family’s annual summer vacation at the beach – just the place for a parasailing outing! So Chin, with the support of her family, hooked up to a speedboat and sailed up into the air over the sandy dunes. She flew the highest among the participating family members.