Welcome to Parallel Entries, a collection of diary and journal excerpts written by different people on the same date across the years. A perspective from which every life, no matter how ordinary or obscure, is worth remembering.
Scroll down to see entries written on today’s date.
We can never really know a person like we know ourselves. But diaries can get us a little bit closer to that sacred truth. They are a humble attempt at capturing a piece, if only the tiniest sliver, of the mundane magic of our miraculous existence. Also, they are time machines. And who isn’t fascinated by time travel?
While social media gives us endless access to the lives and thoughts of others, those lives and thoughts are edited with an audience in mind. We are saying, “This is how I want you to see me.” But in diaries and journals we say, “This is how I see myself.” Parallel Entries pays homage to the practice of trying to see oneself, to see what life is really made of.
If you’ve kept a diary or journal at some point, or if you’ve inherited someone else’s, please consider contributing to the site. It’s easy and free and you are welcome to use a pseudonym if you’re not comfortable sharing your real name. All entries need to have been written at least five years ago.
“It isn’t a bit nice to get someone’s diary and read it, is it? ‘Cause a diary is a private affair (or at least supposed to be). But it’s all right for my grandchildren to read it, of course, and me in my old age. That’s the only reason I faithfully keep one. ‘Cause it really is a lot of trouble.”
Today’s Entries
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
December 22, 1997
Almost 11:00 when I got up. Nice. Kathy took me 2 get my check cashed. Bought glitter, etc. Did little X-mas projects. Bill Brantley came over 4 dinner with his aunt Janis and other guy, 2. Ate stew. Came 2 Ashley’s. Courtney and Liam came. Me and Ashley chilled. Tried 2 play “Clue” but were 2 smart.
Marcy S., age 14, Tennessee
December 22, 1938
Got up around 10:00 because there’s a lot of house cleaning to do. After breakfast I helped Mother clean the living room and dining room and then washed the dishes. About 2:00 we had a little dinner. Daddy not home. (P.S. Before dinner I trimmed the Christmas tree.) Lots of packages have been coming. Worked till around 4:00 when I cleaned up and went to library and town. George went with me. He was in a very exasperating mood. Came home and helped Mother some more. Daddy came home and fixed the fire place and trimmed the mantle and pictures. Mrs. McClure’s double boiler (which M. borrowed) leaked and lost some cocoa. Then it boiled over and got us all in a bad mood. Ate a little supper and then washed the dishes. Felt a little sick. At 7:30 the guests began arriving. First Mrs. Rodgers. Then Mr. and Mrs. Hagameyer, Mr. and Mrs. Goodman, Mother Lane, Mrs. Julian, Mildred Lane, Miss Wolfe and Mrs Dissart from Mossip. Sang Christmas carols and I played most of them. Then Daddy sang some. About 10:00 we had refreshments. Very good. Everyone thought so. By 10:30 everyone had gone. Daddy took the Goodmans home. They judged the outside decorations tonight but we didn’t win anything. Neither did Johnstones, Lanes or Geaslands. Johnstones and Geaslands both gave parties tonight also. Mrs. McClure was invited but had already been asked to Johnstone’s. Bed about 12:00. Very tired.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
December 22, 1887
It had turned real cold last night, and some things were frozen up in the kitchen this morning. I sawed up some chunks this morning for the big stove. Finished writing some cards I gave to my writing pupils this afternoon. Held examinations in Bookkeeping this afternoon. I got one of the pictures Fred Waters took of the School. Kate is suffering with a bad headache tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
December 22, 1862
I made the skirts & sleeves of Zona’s & Willie’s linsay dresses. Mr. Henry went to Asheville today, got a letter from Harrie. He wants two pair socks and a pair gloves. I put on a sock tonight on the needles. Will get Mrs. Mathies to knit the other pair. Fannie spinning the mixed for Mr. Henry’s clothes black.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)
Samuel P., age 34, London
December 22, 1667
(Lord’s day). Up, and my wife, poor wretch, still in pain, and then to dress myself and down to my chamber to settle some papers, and thither come to me Willet with an errand from her mistress, and this time I first did give her a little kiss, she being a very pretty humoured girle, and so one that I do love mightily. Thence to my office, and there did a little business, and so to church, where a dull sermon, and then home, and Cozen Kate Joyce come and dined with me and Mr. Holliard; but by chance I offering occasion to him to discourse of the Church of Rome, Lord! how he run on to discourse with the greatest vehemence and importunity in the world, as the only thing in the world that he is full of, and it was good sport to me to see him so earnest on so little occasion. She come to see us and to tell me that her husband is going to build his house again, and would borrow of me 300l., which I shall upon good security be willing to do, and so told her, being willing to have some money out of my hands upon good security. After dinner up to my wife again, who is in great pain still with her tooth, and there, they gone, I spent the most of the afternoon and night reading and talking to bear her company, and so to supper and to bed.
*(The Diary of Samuel Pepys M.A. F.R.S., edited by Henry B. Wheatley F.S.A., London, George Bell & Sons York St. Covent Garden, Cambridge Deighton Bell & Co., 1893.)