a pink balloon.

an old fashioned ice cream shop. a new friend. a different town.

there was no connection between them, except for the pink balloon.

i don't remember what color i picked out. i do remember the big mass ofcolor and light floating up until i could only squint to try and seethem.

i'm not sure how long i stared at that small, blank white card.

you could say anything.

what did i say? i said, "i'm sorry.

"for what? i don't know. for everything.

i am so attached to those two words. they are so attached to me. i'mnot sure i'll ever be able to let them go.

i could have told her anything. those were my last words. to her.

"i'm sorry."

for a split second, as i watched the plume of balloons slowly rising toeternal freedom, i felt my heart get lighter and higher. like theballoons.

those moments are rare.

i saw a pink balloon and it reminded me of her.

and that brief, rare moment i am always hoping will come back. nexttime i want to catch it and keep it in my pocket.

especially for those days when i don't see pink balloons.