Dear Diary: The Thoughts and Extracts of Mary Bennet

Another year

***I do not own pride and prejudice or it's characters.

~Another Year~

Dear Diary,

Today is my twenty first birthday, and alas, I still have not succeeded at love. I spent most of the summer morning reading in the shade of the trees and studying my most favorite extracts that I have written through the years. Mama told me earlier this morning that Jane, Lizzy and Lydia were coming for a visit this afternoon, so I must come and proceed with my chores that have to be done. She does not remember her own daughter's birthday, again. Papa had saved up money to tune my piano this year, but one of our pigs died, and he had to use most of it to replace the lost animal. Alas, I am the daughter who is placed into the background. The welfare of my sisters rises above my needs and wants. Why must I be such a disappointment? What is my purpose here on this earth anyway? I have asked myself this many times, yet no answer is found. I have searched and searched for the meaning of life and cannot bring myself to answer it. The only thought that comes to mind is when I sat beside Miss Anne and we laughed softly about music. The contentment I felt in her company I had not felt with another. A silly thought indeed as my pondering of her does not solve any present issue. Yet it serves as a nice memory to dream on.

Well, I must go. Work must be done, and mama is not very skilled in the art of patience, so I must retreat back to my home. I shall write again soon, about Eliza, Jane and Lydia's visit. Perhaps grand memories will be made tonight with my sisters? And even so if these thoughts continue to plague me may I write to my solemn friend, Lady Anne.

Now departing,

Mary