From left: Ann Magnus-Doughlin, Russell Magnus, matriarch Paddie Magnus, Oliver Magnus, Professor Dr Marcia Magnus and Sanji Brown (in front) share a family moment for the cameras at Paddie Magnus' 80th birthday celebration. - Contributed

There has been much talk lately about the redefining of age and ageing, as this generation has seen what amounts to a reversal of the concept of ageing. What was once thought of as being ancient, is now being regarded as relatively young, and no longer to be feared, or worse, regarded as the onset of non-productive years - to be tolerated rather than engaged.

Well, the times have changed, and dramatically so, with people (for the most part) living longer, and more productive lives. The jury may still be out as to what accounts for this 'new age'. It could be due to diet and exercise, or just a new awareness which has led to people being more health-conscious and consequently, eat and live better and thus benefit by enjoying longer, healthier and more productive years. Whatever the reason, what was once held old and or ageing has changed, and marvellously so, for the better!

changing face

Rev D. Don Taylor and birthday girl, Paddie Magnus, share a kodak moment at her 80th birthday celebration. - Contributed

There was a time when teenagers and the world generally considered anyone over 30, a relic. Those over 50, very ancient and 60, decidedly decrepit! Now, while this notion is still a commonly held one, for the most part, things have changed, and for the better. The world has started to sit up and take notice of the changing face of the numbers that denote age, and the dynamic and new possibilities this represents in terms of a whole new demography and its marketing potential and realities.

Well, my dears, if ever there were any contemporary examples of the changing attitude towards ageing, it must be the very charming Paddie Magnus, octogenarian, who is anything but a fuddy-duddy. She is not sitting helplessly in life's 'departure lounge' waiting to meet her maker!

Dears, this lady of style, grace and joie de vivre is not your typical octogenarian; she defies all the notions of just what and how an 80-year-old woman is supposed to look and or interpret her longevity.

home away from home

A former resident of the Golden Triangle, Mrs Magnus, now calls Florida her home away from home for over 20 years. It has brought on a number of challenges as with her only son, opting to pursue his various business interests here, while her two daughters - one living in New York and the other in Florida, the challenge was dividing time to spend as much time with her grandchildren and children as possible.

Well, on November 25, the lovely Mrs Magnus, celebrated her 80th birthday and to mark the occasion, her offspring, Ann Magnus-Doughlin, Dr Marcia Magnus and son Oliver Magnus, decided on throwing a warm do to celebrate the milestone. The place chosen was her son's residence, known simply as The Durham, near Liguanea, in upper St. Andrew, but that was for part two of the festivities to mark the occasion.

Dears, the celebrations began with an intimate do from immediate family and relatives, with outings to the North Coast, dinner, and toasts on her birthday, and then on Saturday, the 29th, it was back to The Durham for the shindig for family and friends of long-standing, and dears, what a beauty of an event, it proved!

Dears, it was something intimately fab, and oh so charming, it was easily one of the better dos of the season, rich as it was, with style, and substance, but devoid of the empty and frivolous posturing of those not to the manner born!

Dears, none of the usual party-hopping suspects, with no connection to those celebrating, as this was not that kind of an outing. The beauty of the occasion was that this was a celebration, restricted to family and friends going way-way back, and shared common interests and history with Paddy Magnus and her children.

No profiling here. Instead, we are talking of a charmingly civilised outing that saw guests sharing felicitations, libations, and familial camaraderie in a garden setting, reminiscent of traditional veranda-style. Family and friends in very relaxed mode, enjoyed each other's company, bereft of sophistry or the chatter of the gullible.

Dears, it made for a most welcome and refreshing outing and the perfect opening to the Yuletide season, The air was one of good-natured and civilised discourse, punctuated by toasts, dinner, cutting and sharing of the birthday cake, as well as copious servings of goodwill.

guests

Among those out sharing the intimate celebration were Rev D. Don Taylor, who blessed the proceedings; Ann Magnus-Doughin and husband Dr Jeffery Doughlin, their daughter, Leah and hubby Dr John Rogove and their son, Paxton Doughlin-Rogove; her sibling Damian Doughlin; Professor Dr Marcia Magnus and companion John Dunbar and her son, Marshall Magnus-Lyle; the fab Sanji Brown and son Russell Magnus; the esteemed Peter Moses and son, Jordan; the lovely Camille Edwards, who jetted in from Florida, for the do; Dr Michael Banbury; Dr Carolyn Hayle; James Samuels; Michael Fox; Janice Collins; Byron Henriques; Joshua Thomas; Lenworth Rose and sibling Janice Rose, Millie Rodriquez and sons Cmdr Michael Rodriquez and Richard Rodriquez; and the lovely Michelle Lawrence, plus a number of others.

Indeed, it was quite a charming and memorable celebration, made so by the birthday celebrant, not looking or behaving a day over a fabulous fifty-year-old!