Today I discussed with a coworker a particular scene from the film, Seven. Detective Mills (Brad Pitt) and Detective Somerset (Morgan Freeman) leave to investigate a murdered lawyer’s office in the evening. They search for clues, any particular visual indication of something more. They trade thoughts and argue. Contrast ideas and bicker. Detective Mills gets frustrated and Somerset climbs on the furniture to look closer at a hung painting. While he does this, Mills bends over a table and says with profane gesturing, “you see this? [pushing his buttocks further outward] this is us!”

And it is also me. For 24 years, my life has known the degradation that moment illiterates. 

And well dear friends in just two days I will be 25 years old with a body not well traveled enough, blood pumping only as strong as the fear inside me. My skin is soft but my gaze can be cold. And I am far too young to be so old and bitter. But grasping at my chest with five fingers to clench and one word to give, I’ll say to you and all you readers well, there is still always the promise of tomorrow. And my grandmother always said, my dimples came from the angels that kissed my cheek the day I found this world. I guess it’s time to get back to that smiling again.