The day was exhausting. Mentally I was drained while my heart felt the brunt of my exhaustion. My body felt shaky from the stresses throughout the day while the remains of my mind focused on the drive home. Everything felt so dull, even though everything was as it always was. Colorful, lively, complex, and just modern. I was always the kind of person that enjoyed the simple things in life. Enjoying the days of writing letters, reading books, that sort of thing. Everything now is taking steps forward while I take a step back. I don't mind how things are changing. Myself, I have indulged in more modern technology and things of the sort. However, I do not indulge myself too much with it as others. A lot of the things the kids talk about don't make that much sense. Some of the ways of how things are done don't make sense anymore. Speed, efficiency, whatever they want to call it. None of it makes sense. 

People live happily, everyone seems happy. Smiles and laughter. None searching for more or searching for adventure. It seems for them life just goes forward. I worry for them though in a way. As things go on, how long will it be when all their smiles and laughter fade; becoming looks of sorrow and nothing more but worry? Taking all of those steps forward only to see one day there will be no need for us. No need of purpose. No reason to live. Once living but then just existing. Wandering like lost souls, becoming lazy to ourselves and those around us. No more reason. Doesn't matter though. We all have our smiles, our laughter, and such. I smile and keep smiling. No one sees each other's true faces. That time has passed long ago. Now we wear these masks with these smiles drawn upon them. The mask was so light when I first wore it that day. Children up to a certain age didn't have to wear them, but when they came of age, they received a mask that looked just like everyone else's. 

The masks are light in weight, but over time they end up feeling no different than your own face. To the point that it becomes a part of you, although, as time goes on the weight it truly bears grows heavier. So heavy that it can consume the one wearing it. Just the thought of all of this. Everything is in a way too much. I guess that is what these masks are for. So that no matter what happens inside, everyone gets to see what they want to see…

This drive seems to take longer and longer. Traffic is not so bad, nearly non-existent after getting out of the city. I live near the suburbs, or what would be known as a suburb. I have a small home that I wish I could be at now. Stupid drive.

The sun is going down, which is one of the few things that I enjoy about the drive. Aside from the trees that I see and the stillness of nature, seeing the sun going down during those late stays at work I sometimes do; it makes it all more worth it. Seeing the blue sky still there while at the same time you could see it begin to bleed with slight hints or orange and reds. Then when the sun got lower, the orange color would fill the sky entirely. Such amazing beauty. I'm almost home, just a little longer to go.

I was getting closer to my home. The sun finally set, the night now upon the world. I can see my house from where I am. When I arrived, I pulled into my driveway seeing that a few stars were shining right above my home. I guess even with the small moments of beauty, it makes things slightly easier. Only for a moment though, was my escape from reality as the heavy weight of the mask I wear pulls me back into reality. I pressed the button to set the alarm on my car as I walked to the front door. I put the house key into the lock but stood there for a moment thinking about life as I know it.