Dear Birthday, could you please take 2020 off? So far, we’ve lived through a pandemic (still happening despite word to the contrary), 200,000 deaths, political chicanery, foreign interference in our elections, losing RBG, wildfires, locusts, floods, and earthquakes. No UFOs yet, but there’s still time. This year has been a total bust (except for the Kardashians retiring) so it’s only fair it shouldn’t be counted against us. We deserve a freebie, a pass on aging, but if you insist on showing up, don’t come to my house empty-handed. Bring a pinata and fill it with things I’ll need in the coming year. A compass, for true north (just in case Canada lets us in again). Lucky charms, for safe passage. Rings, for the promise of a new beginning. Poems, for magic. Spices, for intrigue. Red lipstick, for courage. Chocolate, for broken hearts. Pens, to tell the tale. Candles, for night terrors. Seeds, to grow on. Maps, to lead us home. Then I’ll pick up a stick and give it a whack for all the whacks we’ve taken. Chasing beauty blindfolded, cracking open delight, feeling it rain treasure on everyone I love. XOXO Nikki
