When I thought I forgot....I remembered

To be able to step back into the gates, which locked lots of my happiest and worst memories during my teenage years, was an emotional roller coaster ride.

Remembering the people who made a big difference to my life till this day
Remembering the many expressions on their faces that are now etched in my brain
Remembering the dialogues exchanged during the good and bad times
Remembering the day I befriended stage-fright and have yet to unfriend 'her'
Remembering the heat on my face when I held the microphone and words just came out wrong

The buildings are different now
The colours on the walls have changed too
Even my secret hideout is no longer around anymore

The feeling was ineffable.

One moment, "I know this place."
Another moment, "Nothing seems familiar anymore."

As the students performed
As I watched my boy danced and cheered with his new found friends at the center of the parade square
I recalled the day my ex-classmates and I performed a medley of songs for our beloved final year teacher and made her cried.

The fire continued to burn in the darkness
and my head continued to play the scenes of more than 20 years ago...

And the magical moment came when the emcee said, "We will now sing the School Song."
That very second, I can't even recall the tune.
That very instant, I can't even remember the first line.
And everyone stood
Turned to face the school flag

And the prelude started
and my tears weld up
I sang
I remembered the words
I remembered the tune
When I thought I forgot.....I remembered.

I remembered where I stood during flag raising
I remembered who stood beside me when we said the pledge
I remembered my pleated pony tail
I remembered my well tugged-in uniform
I remembered!!!!
*Goosebumps All Over*

You know,
sometimes when our life is so overwhelmed by the daily happenings, the weekly struggles, the monthly duties.....we thought we forgot what simplicity is.
But when the right place, meets the right time, with the right people....
Everything becomes so Crystal Clear and Pure.

Am so grateful to be invited for the school campfire... a chance for me to travel down memory lane once again....
Thank You.


When I thought I forgot....I remembered