Inside Gigi's World

For the past 7 years, on July 23rd I eat cake.

In anticipation or maybe even a little anxiety, like it prepares me for July 23rd, I go to the store and get the candles I need.

Then on the day of, I go to the store,  usually Big Y and I get my two little cakes.

Then, when I am ready (sometimes I have to talk myself into it), I take the cakes out of the box, place candles in them and before I light them, I wish him a Happy Birthday.

As a rule I started a long time ago, no one touches the cake until the candles go out themselves. I wouldn’t blow out the candles if my friend was still here. It surely isn’t my place to do it when he is not.

Once those candles go out though, it is no difference from when we were kids, all bets are off.

The first time I realized I was officially older than him was hard. I like to picture him aging gracefully but then I realize I can’t recall him past his twenties and I am now nearing middle age (I know, I admitted it outloud…GASP).

So much has changed over these years. People say time makes everything easier. It doesn’t make it any easier, just different.

You had the best temperament, although us girls drove you crazy. Secretly I think you loved it, the only rooster in the hen house. You were always another set of eyes for me and when days were rough, you made sure I stayed the course. I like to think you’re still doing that. Sometimes, I swear, when I feel the stupidity rush over my body, you tell me to take a minute and not to be an ass.

You were not just my best friend. You were my family. Blood never meant a whole lot. How could it when all of us kids went through what we did together and made it through the rain. I just wish you were here to see the rainbow.

And that is why I will always eat cake on July 23rd.

Happy 37th Birthday Mikey.