Memory Lane

Last Saturday, mum and I (and Amaya) took a trip down memory lane.  We attended the school fete of my primary school.  Not much had really changed, except for some new buildings.  What was most disconcerting, yet exciting, was the 'History of Tinternvale' noticeboard (picture below).  I managed to find two photographs of myself (one of them below), and an article I wrote about the production of 'Oliver' in the school's newsletter.

(That's me on the right!  The only other person I know in this photograph is the girl sitting next to me.)

The fete experience got me thinking about where our time in life goes.  (I can only imagine how it made my mum feel!)  I still have strong and fond memories of kindergarten, primary school, secondary school and university.  I can still remember: my teachers' names; the boys' names I had crushes on; the raspberry sunnyboys; the skittles that broke my teeth; the love letters I found in my shoes; Grade 6 Graduation; school camps; mixed lollies for 20 cents; playing releaso; gaining my pen licence; sniffing dye in art class and not feeling so good afterwards; being unable to tell the time and hoping the teacher would never ask me; and so much more.  When I was 12 years old, I thought I'd wear make-up at 21 and get married at 24.  I even thought that the man I was going to marry had the exact same heartbeat as myself! 

Where does all the time go?  At times, life feels like one big whirlwind - a hurly burly.  We get caught up in the cyclic nature of daily routines (this is even more pronounced when children are involved).  We can become isolated and insular in our own little bubble of life.  We become more and more pressed, and repressed, for time and contact with loved ones - and with our very selves.  Taking my trip down memory lane has given me an appreciation, once again, for the preciousness of life.  I'm even more determined to fit more in.  And, I honestly feel, that it's humbling to take this trip once in awhile.