The weathered building still stood, br its lemon-yellow facade br now only a faded patchwork br of condemned signs br and boarded up windows. br br It was the first time br I had ventured back there br since losing you. br Steeling my heart br with a deep breath, br I opened the door br and walked inside. br br The rickity stairs were higher br than I remembered. br Now, years later, br the trip up br was almost as difficult br as the trip back br in time. br br In broken ruins thick with dust, br thicker still with memories, br past and present collide br and pain and sorrow br pass in tears of liberation. br br It was right to return. br Some days are diamonds, br some days are dust, br and some days br br can never be br anything but both.br br C.J.