"Can I kiss you?"

Like, sometimes we'll be standing, side by side, it's happened like twice now, I think. And suddenly, out of nowhere this big ass worm comes slithering towards us. I should mention, we're near water, right? Big lake. Ocean. Who knows, it's water and it's blue and I wish I could swim in it all day. Anyway, Anyway, big worm comes towards us. My knees lock up, she's locked in and ready to go. My wife. How proud I am.

"Where did he go?"

AH. My wife, dumb, dumb wife. I chuckle and say, "Well, my dear dumb wife, Minfilia. See that big ocean? That's where it came from? Noticed how he dipped right back? I think it's safe to assume," and I'll point. Make a mouth noise.

And then I grew up. And I thought... now, now it'll be about me. And I think I've just realized it's not about it being about me. It's mattering? People remembering? But most never do.

My youngest brother? Forgot. Doesn't care. God knows. Can't get a response out of him no matter how hard I try.

People I'm very close to? Forgot.

That's not to say that I do not appreciate the people who DID remember. I think I appreciate them ten times over.

But there's a little girl inside of me who wants that acknowledgement from very specific people. To proof they care. And that's probably really wrong. And every year I think, "Just don't give a shit. Be appreciative of what you get. Focus on the good." And every year, when I go to bed, I am sad.

Because I will remember your birthday. At midnight. During your day. I will buy you presents. Send you cards. I will throw you a goddamn birthday party if I know you like that stuff.

And you forgot about me.

HERES YOUR CAKE

And you know what? I believe that she believes it.