The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 3

by Beth Brower

“It’s messier than we ever imagined it to be as children,” he said. “What?” “Life.”

And I hadn’t realised until that moment how much I’ve missed that feeling, of someone inside your four walls watching out for you. The feeling that home isn’t just a place, but also people. I’ve forgotten it could be.

I learned a long time ago that my happiness has to be separate from the things beyond my control.”

It felt as if it were…what can I say? A fission? An energy? All that mounting storm he carries about his person breaking in beautiful rain. And I thought to myself, This. This sort of battle, this kind of argument, this laughter when we realise we are saying the same thing—this is what I wish from life. In the end, Mr. Pierce read the final lines of the essay: “Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of your principles.” “I’m not certain I fully agree,” I was compelled to answer, “but very well read.” He smiled. I smiled. How wonderful a thing to find one’s friends.