Most people don't look forward to their birthday because it's just another reminder that their annual, celebratory cakes are looking a little something like this.
Although my age is escalating exponentially, or so it seems, the idea of getting old is just a drop in the bucket compared to the fact that for me, birthdays just aren't the same anymore.
Exactly 28 years ago, my mom gave birth to her second son. A spit fire of a kid with uncontrollable energy, a mischievous grin, a contagious giggle, stubborn tenacity, and devious dexterity. He was loud, and fast, and bold. He never slowed down - even when he sliced his toe down to the bone trying to get some milk out of the fridge.
Exactly 2 years and one day later we started celebrating our birthdays together. Although my parents were always really great about giving each of us a spotlight on our respective days, the week was about us. Going out to dinner was about us. We both stood up to take a slice of cake at the Japanese steakhouse. If we didn't eat out, the cake read 'Happy Birthday Jeremy & Maggie.' The sign at the Mountain View Restaurant read, 'Happy Birthday Jeremy & Maggie.'
This is the second year that I will celebrate my birthday without you, and to be completely honest, it's much harder than the last. Getting older is very much overrated, but it was a little less overrated when you were here to celebrate too. My family still takes the time to do even little things that make my day incredibly amazing - and for that, I'm immensely grateful- but it's just not the same.
It wasn't always easy celebrating our birthdays together. But now it's even harder celebrating without you.
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