For the whole day, I’m going to do everything 22 times.
Take 22 sips.
Kiss someone 22 times on the lips.
I know for a fact, people are going to think I have a bad case of Tourette’s; but I can live with that.
It’s my day, and I can spend it how I want to.
Maybe, I’ll tell the same joke, 22 times, to the same friends just to see their reaction. I wonder if they will remind me or chalk it up to a pre-pre-semimidlife melt down.
I am still young, but old enough to do things. Real life changing shit. I already surpassed the age to gamble or drink or die to the hands of cigarettes. I need a new plan, for my cycle.
Cycle 22.
Maybe I will call 22 people and tell them each individually 22 thoughts I never had the guts to say to them. If anything goes bad, I can blame it on the 22 sips.
Besides blowing out, 22 candles I am going to attempt to make my family and friends sing the Birthday Song, 22 times. That would be hilarious, to re-start the song each time they stop. I know for a fact my youngest nieces and nephews would sing it back to back with me.

Oh how I love them, so.
Young, lucky, little boogers.

They have no stress or worries. Fresh faced and full of energy. I can barely get up for class in the mornings, or even remember my schedule.
I am getting closer and closer to a day when I will look in the mirror and not recognize who I see.
I will no longer be me, the me I am now.
This is my sequence of change. I am excited to eat my ice cream and cake. I can just imagine a beautiful, red velvet cake and the creamiest vanilla ice cream in the world. I wonder if my wish will come true. I hope their isn’t an age limit on making wishes, while blowing out the candles.

However, I don’t think any of that is real anyway. Just another thing to make us feel like all new great luck And blessings are on the horizon. I simply don’t buy it. What makes the candles so special? Special enough to grant wishes like some genie. I really wish I was in London or Paris with the love of my life – eating chocolate covered strawberries and sipping red wine.

I guess I’ll save that for my 25th cycle. I am grateful, to be able to see another year and not be physically ill or unable to celebrate.

I vow to continue to grow and learn, and never make excuses for the work I must do on Earth. When the clock strikes 12, I will no longer be in my 21st cycle. I will have to be better, work harder and set greater goals. I am very grateful for the experiences I have had, whether they were pleasant or pitiful. I hope the people who made me happy, in my 21st cycle; continue. I will get rid of anyone who has never made me feel supported and loved, if I already haven’t.

My cycle color is white. I will make sure I have on either a white dress or white shoes or a white top. The color white represents purity, and a clean slate. A birthday is like a mini New Years, but just for you and the other people who have your same birthday. It’s the one day I can be me and people will have to accept it. I choose to be in awe of myself on this day. I can laugh out of nowhere and not be called crazy. I can smile so wide and big and even dance at any moment I feel.

It’s my day and I can’t wait. It’s been 22 years in the making.