a woman's whole life in a single day; and in that day, her whole life.

this was a life-altering day. the kind you will always remember, but only in the abstract. the kind that changes you forever in ways you cannot name. the kind you cannot possibly write a coherent diary entry about, but you feel you must attempt.

we set out for columbus looking for freedom, conversation, adventure, relief, escape. we found all that plus catharsis, understanding, intentional hoarseness, new plans, hope. between a piercing, coffee, a movie and dinner it seems we didn't do much, but in one day we did everything.

i think i am worldly because i can navigate around a state capital. i think i could be happy never growing roots because i haven't found a place worth settling in yet. i think a larger and more diverse population would be more interesting because i haven't become annoyed with it yet. i think soulmates could exist because i simply want one. whatever my reasons, hope is as hope does.

i didn't want to return. back to daily mundanities or mundacities (neither of which sound quite right), back to side-stepping and forgetting and ignoring and days that don't make a difference. i didn't mean to say 'marietta is my richmond and it is slowly killing me,' but it is not my london either. i hope this day has reinvigorated me enough to get through the less exciting ones to follow; i fear this day will only make all others pale in comparison, a new ghost to chase.

whatever it was, is and will be remembered as, this day is now a part of my history and has defined my future. in all the small, lasting, amorphous ways, i am forever changed. (in ways a tattoo or a piercing could never do.) linked inextricably to emotions, music and people, i am grateful for this day. here's to the hours that follow...

always the years between us, always the years, always the love. always the hours.
Michael Cunningham