Memories

“…sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on.”

 -Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose

I spent my childhood in that neighbourhood. Every inch of the sidewalk owns a memory I never wanted to lose. On my last day, I was shooting hoops at my favourite of the three parks in the area, something I loved to do ever since I can remember. On my last shot, a piece of chain fell from the mesh. I kept it in my pocket ever since.

I felt like I still had a piece of my childhood with me. One filled with love, heartbreak, exclusion, anger, and adventure. Nobody ever wants to lose their childhood. Memories are too important to lose or forget, and so I learned to write them down. Maybe that’s why I felt so lost and hurt when I lost the chain a few days ago.

I feel naked without it in my pocket. Last time I lost it, it found its way back to me, somehow. For some reason, I don’t think that will happen this time.

But in the past few days I’ve also learned to let go. Memories will always be with you, but you never lose your identity when you lose a possession.

I still have the memories inside of me. They have become my identity, but this possession was not.