Memory

I ran down the path and stopped under the bridge. After hopping down the slope, I emerged at the water. It was sunset in Bethlehem and the sun shown over the tops of the trees, the buildings, the river. There was some bustle of big noise in the distance, but it was overcome by the chattering of the bugs around me. I stood, my breath becoming more even, completely enveloped by the scene.

It was one of those rare moments when peace finds you. When you know things are going to be okay. When you're not afraid of the future or regretful of the past.

I knew things were going to be okay because that sunset showed me a thousands images at once.

The first time I kissed her. The picture of me sleeping on Dad's stomach. Me and my brother in Disney world with our Mickey and Donald hats. That night on the other side of the bridge. Dawn over the Rockies. The tunnel before Finals. The Pooh Bear that sat in my crib the day I got home from the hospital. The moon that one night. The French countryside from the top of the mountain. The city lights with Uncle Tim. The smell of my grandfather's trains in his basement. The clutter of my best friend's backseat. The onion haze of Uncle Didn's gravy. The quiet scratching of the stage curtain. The sound of six trombones on Here's That Rainy Day. Main Street as we turned the corner during the parade. Sunset over Amsterdam. The practice room at 6:30 AM with Mr. C. The scent of the breeze as we descended into the stadium. The brightness of her eyes. The hot pavement of the parking lot. The scent of Mom's wine.

The sound of Welcome Home.
The sound of I Love You.
The sound of Goodbye.

This river, this sun, this scene, right now.

I know everything's going to be okay because of all I have seen and heard and done in this life already. All at once, these things are unique to me and universal to everyone. Everyone has this collection of memories that makes them who they are. Because these memories are so unique and universal, I have to believe that people have felt all the same emotions that we have for thousands of years. Billions have lived and died with the same pictures we have, just with different faces and backgrounds.

Everything's going to be fine. Roll with life ... live it, learn from it, love it. Be with those whom you care about. Enjoy it all.

With one last fleeting look, I turned from the river and went back up the slope. When I reached the path again, I took off running.

That's all there is to it.