A Reflection
“I will hold your memory close to my chest” Older Brother, Pepper Rabbit
We walked around the park looking for a place to talk. We found a Pond.
We went up to the water’s edge. We gazed at our reflection, it looked different than before; something interfered with our reflection because it was supposed to shine, but instead it was murky, gloomy, ugly.
There was a long silence. My palms started to sweat and heart began to race. We knew what was going to be said, what was going to be heard, what was going to happen. We stood there in anticipation and continued staring at our reflection.
I remembered all the moments we held and shared—all the good times—and thought to myself:
What’s going to happen in a couple months when we are separated by thousands of miles?
I looked up and opened my mouth. My voice began to shake, slurred words, mixed matched words, mumbled words. Then it all came together:
What will happen when we go our separate ways?
She quickly looked up—knowing that question was going to be asked—and mumbled a few words and paused.
I looked at her and back at the horizon of the pond. A group of ducks landed in the pond and dove down in search of food. Some left the pond leaving the rest of the flock.
She opened her mouth and asked a question:
What is your favorite movie?
I answered back with a puzzled look.
Inception. Why?
What’s Your favorite part of the movie?
The whole movie of course, why?
Did you ever want the movie to end?
No! It was so great. I never wanted it to End!
She turned her head and looked me in the eye and said in a very articulate way:
We can’t watch the same movie, over and over again. One day, we will start a new movie, but the images, the stills, the memories of the previous will still be remembered and that is what will stay in our hearts.
She looked down again, waiting for an answer.
I couldn’t think of a reply… I was speechless.
I gazed across the pond, and watched the rest of the ducks fly away.
I walked up to the waters edge and looked at my reflection, all I saw was a mucky—foggy self. I continued starring at myself and something from the inside whispered something soothing.
Its alright… Just let go.
I stopped looking at my reflection; the person I wanted to become, what I wanted to have, what I wanted to… Keep. For I saw the murkiness it created. I stopped worrying about what’s in store—our state of friendship—because I knew: the memories will still be remembered. I stepped back from the water’s edge and looked at her. I was searching for an answer to tell her, but I couldn’t think of any. Instead, I said:
Thank You.
We both looked at each other and gave a smile. We walked away from the water’s edge, leaving my reflection—my wants and desires—for something… New.
