Waiting for Cake
Introduction The idea behind the title was brought to me by a certain gentleman who, one Sunday afternoon, stood me up. The gentleman had promised to bring me cake and this was, as I thought, the start of a favorable relationship after what had been a very coy friendship. It made me think broader about 'waiting' and how women have been on a quest, in waiting, for something that is truly of value; often embodied in a man. In my case I liked the guy. He had a very strong presence and something of a special kind that when I thought of him I imagined nothing less than complementing him (yes, I had the daydream and we had kids too! All 5 of them) So when he proposed a visit I thought that would be the exact opportunity we both needed in order to realize ourselves to each other. Needless to say it didn't happen and that Sunday afternoon gave birth to this story... Waiting for Cake, as the title suggests and in continuing to my initial experience is (shortened) a woman's quest for cake. From the day we are born to the day we die; cake, as food, features across all races, creeds, religious beliefs and all aspects of our lives. A woman could be vegetarian and lesbian and would still enjoy cake just like an asexual, meat eating woman would. It follows us to celebrating a birthday in the years to come, celebrating a life. Cake as a positive reinforcement choice to our emotional foodie needs makes this a lifelong treat to look forward to. Even more so for those milestone of growing up; graduation celebrations, new jobs, new cars, a house safely purchased and a get together with friends always warrants a cake to seal in all those achievements. Think of a first date, hopefully with a gentleman, may have dessert and that dessert being a delightful slice of cake. A break-up with that very same gentleman may need the comfort of a slice of chocolate cake or slices. We live to be what we dream and as a popular belief suggests that every girl's dream is to have a fairytale wedding (please be advised this is a sore generalization) and in the tradition of "white weddings" there is cutting of cake. Now as we are all aware most women look forward to getting married. Marriage signifies some accomplishment far more gratifying than our careers and personal achievements. Women are nurtures naturally and marriage as we have seen and know it to be is an extension of that as well as other things that a healthy marriage should entail. Lots of cakes feature here! There is an isiXhosa proverb that says "Isiphelo sentombi kusemzini" which, loosely translated, means 'the end of a girls life is through marriage' ... Well, let me not get far off cause I might just go into unknown territory. Waiting for Cake is a funny, humored way of telling these stories that lead up to the grandest cake celebration which we (mostly) anticipate... *the end, for now* I stopped at this point the last time and sent it to friends to read and they came back and gave me crazy, funny, angry and confusing feedback. The story seems to have ran from me the more I question myself about the introduction itself. I am hoping to have finished it by the time my first daughter is born.