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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: MEMORY LANE (04/23/20)
I stepped off the train into the harsh morning sunlight. The wind blew swirls of dust around my feet as I breathed in the familiarity of this place. Familiar, but so distant. I hadn’t been here in years. Not physically, anyway. Although it was never far from my mind, I hadn’t been able to bring myself to come back. Until today.

Staring out the window of the taxi, I tried to prepare myself. For what, I wasn’t sure. As the scenery flashed by, it was like being in a time machine…going back to somewhere sacred, somewhere untouched. I prayed that my return wouldn’t ruin all that it was to me.

The driver looked puzzled as I asked him to let me out on the street corner. This was it – McAllister Road. The road that brought us together, but couldn’t keep us together.

For a moment, I wanted to run. But I had come too far this time. I took a hesitant step, then another. I needed to see it again, to see us again, the way we used to be. Before time and trouble left their marks on us. Before we knew all that we would lose. I needed to see things from the other side again – looking forward instead of looking back. Hope instead of regret.

How many times had we walked this road together, talking about everything in the world, laughing, dreaming, just being in the moment with each other. I miss that more than I can say. More than I’ve ever told you. I wonder if you do, too.

I rounded the curve by the big oak tree. Both of our houses stood where we had left them, but they weren’t the same. Yours was repainted, mine had an addition on the side. Even through the differences, though, the memories of you rushed in like a flood…

The one who made me laugh, listened, and encouraged me like no one else.

The one who knew me best, smiled at my quirks, and was truly my best friend.

The one who left me, and all of this, for a new life.

I dropped to my knees in the dirt and let the tears flow. It was ugly, but I didn’t care. Overwhelmed by the simultaneous joy and pain, I questioned whether this was a mistake. What did I hope to accomplish by coming here? It wouldn’t change things. It seems to be only a sad reminder of all that used to be.

Then I saw it. I blinked, wiping the dust and tears from my eyes. How could it still be there? I reached up into the crook of that low hanging branch in the oak tree. A small plastic box was still wedged there. I managed to pull it out and held it for a moment before looking inside.

It was our bored-Saturday-spur-of-the-moment time capsule. That day came rushing back as I turned the little box over in my hands –

“Let’s leave something here and we’ll come back in 50 years and get it.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know, something about us, who we are. It’ll be fun!”

Barely breathing, I opened the box, and smiled. It was your Broncos key chain and my green beaded bracelet. Items forgotten until now.

Then I saw something I didn’t remember being there. I pulled out a folded up piece of blue paper with my handwriting on it. Unfolding it, I read:

“All things work together for good. ALL things!!!”

I suddenly felt a peace that I didn’t have before. It was like God speaking to me through my younger self. I miss this life and all that we had, and I know I always will. But somewhere along this road I had forgotten Who hadn’t left me. He was, and is, always there, always working for my good. Always loving me.

My tears continued to fall as I walked back down that dusty road, but they were new tears of gratefulness. Of new-found love and renewal. Of a new start from an old place. Of looking forward again. And it was good.
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This article has been read 502 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Francy Judge 
04/30/20
I love this story. It was beautifully written with some mystery about what had happened and woven with interesting details.
Ellen Carr 
05/01/20
A touching story well told.
Barbara Culler 
05/02/20
Sweet story.
Rachel Rudd
05/03/20
Very well-written story! You created a good buildup of wondering what the relationship was that was broken. The ending was a perfect completion to a story about memory lane, "Of a new start from an old place."
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
05/04/20
You really nailed the topic in what I think was a difficult topic to nail in a fresh way. You did an awesome job of showing the conflict right from the very beginning and held it to the end. And you resolved that conflict in a real, palpable way.