If I were ever asked what to take to my next life it would be all my memories. All of them, clear and picturesque, they have served as many things: tools, lessons, lies, truths. They reside slowly and peacefully amongst my everyday thoughts and emotions. I have of course erased or forgotten some but for the most part my memory has indeed served its purpose and served me well thus far. My memories have indeed found good homes here too, written and then read, read, read. This is important as memories are only able to leave one and enter another if they are shared. These memories I would like to share:

At 10 years old, my life up to that point wasn’t exceptionally interesting: I had lived a mediocre life, went to public school, rode the bus. But I had an interesting perspective at that age, I remember our 5th grade teacher asking us, “why people smoked?”

I distinctively remember my hand shooting up and being picked first to answer: “People smoked because they wanted to keep warm in the winter.” At this the 5th grade class did not hesitate to laugh whole-heartedly. I looked around, fearing I had just farted. My teacher chuckled too: “That’s a great answer Geetha, but let’s see if other people would like to answer. Hands again flew up. I learned that day no answer was stupid but some answers were of course ridiculously stupid, but it hasn’t stopped me from putting out my ideas. I hope that warmed you up on this chilly day. 

This next memory was when I was really young, I don’t really remember the day or the circumstance but I remember that I was there and now I’m here memory intact.

The closest McDonald’s to our house was within walking distance, but yet we only went there when it was an occasion. My parents would order two happy meals and split a big mac. But more than the food and everything else, it was the play pen that I remember. It had a twisty slide and ladders and excitement was written all over. The ball pool was of course the main attraction. The slide being the way to get into it. My favourite part was going down the slide and landing on top of so many coloured balls. I held my breath at every dive just like in a real pool. This is what makes this memory exceptional, I made sure nostrils covered and breath held, now I was ready to dive. I hope this too, brought warmth to your cheeks and laughter to your lips.