Cleansed

I am caught in a rainstorm and instead of running to the safety of cover, I embrace it and let my skin, my hair, my clothes soak up the heavy round drops. The burden of your anniversary runs down my cheeks and arms and legs, not unlike it did five years ago (exactly, by the way). Only this time I feel strong, sure, loved, and free from both the physical and emotional pain you inflicted. Five years later, even on this anniversary, I can stand with my head held high, my heart still beating, and my life still in tact. The trust that you stole from me has returned little by little, and the bright brassy red that stained me that night has changed now to a warmer, softer red. With this rain, with the passing of time, even in this place that you could have ruined for me, I feel clean.