Glamour and Dust: A Half-Life of Self-Reflection

[Tomato Original, A Life Half-Lived] The glitter and dust of the world, a confession of the first half of my life. Savor life in its most genuine form, and enjoy reading about a life half-lived. I recount my haphazard first half, hoping to encourage those destined to read it. Don't laugh at others for growing old; in the blink of an eye, you'll be a white-haired elder yourself. Time flows like water, clouds drift like smoke, and life is like sand slipping through an hourglass. Some tender moments, whether quiet or boisterous, have already been given a bittersweet sweetness by the years. Some idle words, whether fresh or graceful, will always steal away the years at a certain backward glance and moisten the tender heart. Somehow, following the wind's call, we will meet again amid the fallen blossoms of autumn. Though we may be worlds apart, I believe a single ray of sunlight is the perfect distance between us. After much thought, I finally decided to leave behind the truest version of myself, or at least some memories. They may be gloomy or sorrowful, perhaps with a little inspiration mixed in. Though my own trivial half-life may not yet offer much wisdom to those who come after me, even a moment of shared understanding or encouragement would be enough...