1 views
New Ground
Aug 15, 1991
I looked out my window, gazing at our beautiful metropolis, knowing this would be the last time I would ever see it. My things are already packed, and everyone's waiting for me on the train. We're moving to Europe beacause Father says it'll be better there, but I don't see why. When he first broke the news to us, Mother looked like he'd announced a second honeymoon for them, she was delighted at the thought. Bess, my younger sister, seemed to have no opinion on the matter, as her face told me nothing. That was three weeks ago. I snapped back into reality when I heard the sound of Father's voice telling me to hurry up. I told them I needed five minutes to gaze upon it again. Those sights, I knew weren't going anywhere, and they would still be here if I ever had a chance to visit. Only I knew once we moved to Europe, we would move into a new house, make new memories, and live new lives set out for us. I knew we would go on to live brilliant new lives, and forget the one we're about to leave. But I've always been a strong-hearted girl, and I knew what I wanted. I knew I didn't want to leave. I also knew motivation was a powerful thing, and right then I knew exactly what I must do. The world wouldn't wait for me, yet I won't wait for the world either. But I could certainly meet it halfway. I boarded the train with my satchel in hand, on my way to a new adventure.
Nov 5, 1991
Our new country house is a bit smaller than our old house in Pennsylvania. It's been a couple months since we moved here, but already it feels like home. The grass is especially spectacular. It tickles my feet, yet it feels so soft and comforting. This type of grass has a feel to it that other grass just doesn't have. I asked Mother about the type of grass we have in our field, and she didn't seem to understand, so I explained that this grass felt different. She said I'm being silly, that all grass feels the same, because all grass is the same. I don't let her words get to me. I know she's got a brain the size of a pea, and clearly I'm the only one I can rely on in this family. I can figure this out on my own.
Nov 12, 1991
I thought about it all week, and the solution is clear. My world hasn't changed, only where I am. We all have new experiences, we go through changes in life. I love the feel of the grass, the things I've seen. Most people see the big picture. I see the little things in between them, the things that give me solace.
I am quite brilliant.
Feb 28, 2022
Yesterday I decided to come visit my old home. I'm an adult now, and the world certainly hasn't waited for me, so why should I continue to wait? I can certainly do my best to keep up with it, but I've gotten a lot faster, stronger, and certainly a lot more wiser. The world is going to have to keep up with me.
We've gotten better I think. When I was a teenager, Bess and I found out Father had cancer. I remember we all cried that day, and Mother took him to the hospital, (due to him being in his late stages). He passed away peacefully a few months later. The strange thing is, I wasn't as sad as everyone else. I knew this wouldn't be the end. We would go on, as everyone always does. I found out later that Bess had extreme anxiety and panic attacks. I did my best to help her, and it seemed to work. She's off living on her own now, so I think she'll be alright. As for Mother... well, we never really had the best relationship while I was growing up. Perhaps if I had tried to communicate with her better, our relationship wouldn't have gotten so sour. I hope she'll give me another chance.
Anyway, I returned here because I knew I'd forgotten something all those years ago. Nobody had lived in this house for over ten years. I slowly opened the creaking door to reveal absolutely nothing. All except some old furniture, and giant cobwebs lurking in every corner, the house was complete bare. I knew exactly where I needed to go. I headed straight for my old bedroom.
The inside seemed smaller than I remembered it. Perhaps it's because it's been so long, or the fact that I'm an adult now, and I see things differently from when I was a child. I spotted the loose floorboard in my desk corner where I used to study. Luckily, I came prepared. I used the tools I'd brought with me and got to work. It took about ten minutes or so before I was able to pry it open. Underneath the floorboard was my favorite pen I'd always use to write stories with. Next to that was a picture frame, with a picture of Mother, Father, Bess and me in it. We all looked so young and happy. I picked it up to get a closer look. I pried open the back of the frame to take out the picture, and there was a small, folded up note, taped to the back of it. I gently removed the note, and before reading it, I looked at the back of the picture. It read:
July 25, 1991
Remember to remember who you were. P.S. don't forget to take this with you.
I suddenly felt a burst of inspiration I hadn't had in a long while. I finally remembered what I came here for. I hurried to pack up all my tools in my backpack, and I quickly shoved the pen, note, picture and frame into my satchel. The train would be arriving soon.
A few minutes later, I heard the train whistle outside. I took one last look out my bedroom window. It was the same as I remembered it. I smiled at that. I sat down on the train, with my satchel beside me. I knew it would be a long train ride to my next adventure, to new ground, so I started reading:
Aug 15, 1991
I looked out my window, gazing at our beautiful metropolis, knowing this would be the last time I would ever see it...
© Saiya Long
I looked out my window, gazing at our beautiful metropolis, knowing this would be the last time I would ever see it. My things are already packed, and everyone's waiting for me on the train. We're moving to Europe beacause Father says it'll be better there, but I don't see why. When he first broke the news to us, Mother looked like he'd announced a second honeymoon for them, she was delighted at the thought. Bess, my younger sister, seemed to have no opinion on the matter, as her face told me nothing. That was three weeks ago. I snapped back into reality when I heard the sound of Father's voice telling me to hurry up. I told them I needed five minutes to gaze upon it again. Those sights, I knew weren't going anywhere, and they would still be here if I ever had a chance to visit. Only I knew once we moved to Europe, we would move into a new house, make new memories, and live new lives set out for us. I knew we would go on to live brilliant new lives, and forget the one we're about to leave. But I've always been a strong-hearted girl, and I knew what I wanted. I knew I didn't want to leave. I also knew motivation was a powerful thing, and right then I knew exactly what I must do. The world wouldn't wait for me, yet I won't wait for the world either. But I could certainly meet it halfway. I boarded the train with my satchel in hand, on my way to a new adventure.
Nov 5, 1991
Our new country house is a bit smaller than our old house in Pennsylvania. It's been a couple months since we moved here, but already it feels like home. The grass is especially spectacular. It tickles my feet, yet it feels so soft and comforting. This type of grass has a feel to it that other grass just doesn't have. I asked Mother about the type of grass we have in our field, and she didn't seem to understand, so I explained that this grass felt different. She said I'm being silly, that all grass feels the same, because all grass is the same. I don't let her words get to me. I know she's got a brain the size of a pea, and clearly I'm the only one I can rely on in this family. I can figure this out on my own.
Nov 12, 1991
I thought about it all week, and the solution is clear. My world hasn't changed, only where I am. We all have new experiences, we go through changes in life. I love the feel of the grass, the things I've seen. Most people see the big picture. I see the little things in between them, the things that give me solace.
I am quite brilliant.
Feb 28, 2022
Yesterday I decided to come visit my old home. I'm an adult now, and the world certainly hasn't waited for me, so why should I continue to wait? I can certainly do my best to keep up with it, but I've gotten a lot faster, stronger, and certainly a lot more wiser. The world is going to have to keep up with me.
We've gotten better I think. When I was a teenager, Bess and I found out Father had cancer. I remember we all cried that day, and Mother took him to the hospital, (due to him being in his late stages). He passed away peacefully a few months later. The strange thing is, I wasn't as sad as everyone else. I knew this wouldn't be the end. We would go on, as everyone always does. I found out later that Bess had extreme anxiety and panic attacks. I did my best to help her, and it seemed to work. She's off living on her own now, so I think she'll be alright. As for Mother... well, we never really had the best relationship while I was growing up. Perhaps if I had tried to communicate with her better, our relationship wouldn't have gotten so sour. I hope she'll give me another chance.
Anyway, I returned here because I knew I'd forgotten something all those years ago. Nobody had lived in this house for over ten years. I slowly opened the creaking door to reveal absolutely nothing. All except some old furniture, and giant cobwebs lurking in every corner, the house was complete bare. I knew exactly where I needed to go. I headed straight for my old bedroom.
The inside seemed smaller than I remembered it. Perhaps it's because it's been so long, or the fact that I'm an adult now, and I see things differently from when I was a child. I spotted the loose floorboard in my desk corner where I used to study. Luckily, I came prepared. I used the tools I'd brought with me and got to work. It took about ten minutes or so before I was able to pry it open. Underneath the floorboard was my favorite pen I'd always use to write stories with. Next to that was a picture frame, with a picture of Mother, Father, Bess and me in it. We all looked so young and happy. I picked it up to get a closer look. I pried open the back of the frame to take out the picture, and there was a small, folded up note, taped to the back of it. I gently removed the note, and before reading it, I looked at the back of the picture. It read:
July 25, 1991
Remember to remember who you were. P.S. don't forget to take this with you.
I suddenly felt a burst of inspiration I hadn't had in a long while. I finally remembered what I came here for. I hurried to pack up all my tools in my backpack, and I quickly shoved the pen, note, picture and frame into my satchel. The train would be arriving soon.
A few minutes later, I heard the train whistle outside. I took one last look out my bedroom window. It was the same as I remembered it. I smiled at that. I sat down on the train, with my satchel beside me. I knew it would be a long train ride to my next adventure, to new ground, so I started reading:
Aug 15, 1991
I looked out my window, gazing at our beautiful metropolis, knowing this would be the last time I would ever see it...
© Saiya Long
