I light the candles on the top of the cake, Brad and I singing “Happy Birthday” to my mom. It’s such a simple thing, a small celebration for a woman who deserves the world, as far as I’m concerned. But being here with these people, the water lapping at the shore and the sun starting its descent in the sky, I feel immeasurably content. Happy in a way I don’t remember being since I was a child. So when we finish the song and my mom says, “There are three candles. Why don’t we all make a wish?” I don’t hesitate. I wish… That I never have to give this up.
