Yep, first grade. That was fifteen years ago. Who would've ever thought that our paths would cross again? Who would've thought that our memories of each other remain strong to this day, even though we were but 6-year-olds when we last interacted?
Twists of fate such as this make my spine tingle with excitement, fear, and awe. I shudder to think about the what-could've-beens not because I'm afraid of what I missed out on, but because I'm afraid of the person that I could have become (Does that make sense?).
Aside from fleeting nostalgia, a multi-layered struggle washed over me this weekend. I struggled to remember several people who knew exactly who I was, and who remembered me for being the smart one. The responsible one. The one who always did things right. I struggled to improve my conversational Kapampangan to feel more included in their culture. And I struggled to catch up to their friendships that blossomed without me.
I am happy to be reunited with these people. After a long time, they have ceased to become mere shadows in my past; now, they welcome me, and who am I to deny friendship they so willingly offer me a second time?
2 comments:
Holy crap, I can't even remember anything about the first grade except my teacher forcing everyone to eat vegetables at lunchtime.
I know, right?! If you would've told me a few months ago that I'd be buying my first drinks for my first grade friends, I would've thought you were crazy! :)
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