Red White Pink Yellow

Today, a stranger bought me flowers on Franklin St. from the flower lady.

I've not smiled so much in so long. Not to say I've been unhappy. I've been laughing so hard this semester already, telling jokes, laughing at jokes, giggling with friends, laughing at myself sometimes because it's the only way to keep me from crying in embarrassment or despair.

But just to silently smile. To smile because it's the only way your face knows how to react. No sighs, no words but the words of a stranger:

Here. Take them. These are for you.

There is a tree in the Coker Arboretum whose leaves look like hearts.

Soft reminders that I am loved when my love for myself is not enough.
And it never is.
And it was never supposed to be.