Just Kids

I finished reading this book late last night, in my hotel room bed in San Francisco. I cried to myself. Not so much because of the ending, as it was about the beautiful bond shared between Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe. Vulnerable, endless depths of understanding... The kind of camaraderie, support, and love I want to give to my best friend, forever.


I was saddened to discover that Robert died on March 9th, 1989. My 5th birthday. It made me ponder the circle of life. What was I doing on that day? I think it might have been the day when I was running outside, and had fallen and scraped both my knees. It was my first experience with rubbing alcohol. My Dad gently applied it to my little wounds. I cried from the pain, and probably thought it was the worst day ever. Once I was cleaned up, my Dad started blasting "Birthday" by the Beatles, on the record player. I didn't understand it at first... but my "worst day ever" soon turned right side up again when I realized it was my birthday.


In honor of Robert Mapplethorpe, I will devote my 27th year to creating something every day. For Robert and Patti... true artists.

love,
p. ahn