R Pierson Meier

PostCard PaperCut R Pierson Meier

A bloodstained postcard and a broken family tree led me on a journey to search for the meaning of life, true love, and just about everything.

We are all searching for something, someone, some place, some meaning in our lives. Most of the time we are so busy searching that we overlook what is right in front of us.

On the streets that border New York City's Washington Square Park, street-savvy Alex, a companion to many and close friend to no one, is looking for real love; a homeless and gifted artist known as Rembrandt is seeking lost souls; and loud-mouthed Krauss, who is drawn to self-loathing and cheap thrills, wants nothing more than to be taken seriously. Then there is this modern-day explorer who ties it all together without even trying.

Holden Hauser is a twenty-three-year-old art school dropout trying to escape a mundane life and find a sense of purpose. In the midst of trying to figure it out, his twin sister Peyton's life is cut short by a random text message and a fiery car crash. This compels Holden to fulfill a promise he made to her: to find their father, who vanished years ago. His only clue is a bloodstained postcard of Washington Square Park.

Holden embarks on a trip to New York City and is quickly distracted by the grit and glamor of the city. His surroundings transform into a microcosmic classroom where new friends, new questions, and life-changing experiences blossom into something spontaneous and extraordinary. All of this has Holden convinced that the search for his father has gone cold, when in reality, he's closer than ever to the greatest discovery of all: the realization that if you just stand still, the world will come to you.

Elements of comedy, tragedy, romance and intrigue intersect through the characters in Holden's life and the boundaries of Washington Square Park. What emerges is a modern-day owner's manual for post-adolescent life that reflects our common quest for meaning. Can Holden find his father? Can he find meaning in his own life before being consumed by the stark realities of life and death?

Join Holden's search for answers and uncover the wisdom and revelations that can transform a life over the course of a weekend.