I love it when my siblings return home, especially now that we're all adults. Fun activities are carried out, cheers are spread and we are reminded of the true essence of family.
These past few days have been absolutely amazing and today was no different. This afternoon, I had an encounter with my elder brother that left me laughing so hard. Quite frankly, I do not remember the last time I laughed that hard.
I had just finished doing some research and dropped my phone, about to pick up the book I'm currently reading, when my elder brother slammed my door open and turned on my light; two things I absolutely do not like. Naturally, I went into a defensive mood because of the abrupt atmosphere change.
He strode in lookIng very astute and ready to deliver serious news. “I have something for you” he said with a sly grin then flicked two photographs in my direction.
I took one look at the pictures and screamed in utter disbelief!
How did he even get these pictures? And why did I look like a homeless gangster in them?The photos were over a decade old, capturing me in moments I had long forgotten and I just couldn't believe my eyes.
I immediately started reliving my old self, cringing at every detail. What was that thing on my head? Was it supposed to be a gold crown? And those shoes? Why on earth did I wear a pair of white long socks with dress shoes? My hairdo looked frizzy and unkempt, yet in those pictures, my face beamed with pure confidence and satisfaction. I laughed so hard tears streamed down my face.
Growth is such a beautiful thing.
This moment naturally led me to reflect on the exact scenes those pictures captured, where life seemed so blissfully easy. All I worried about was perfecting my role in a class drama or figuring out how to spend longer hours with my best friend. Those were the days of simple joys; no bills to pay, no deadlines looming, just the thrill of school games and the anticipation of weekends with friends but somehow, I still felt like I had the world on my shoulders sometimes.
Fast forward to over a decade now and my worries have evolved alongside me. Irrespective of how embarrassing these pictures may seem at the moment, I would still keep them for posterity purposes as they captured a significant point in my life. However, I can't share the images here due to obvious reasons:)
This moment reminded me of the perfect soundtrack: “Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield. Released in 2004, the song became an anthem for possibility, blending pop energy with profound wisdom about life's open canvas.The artist sings about breaking free from the scripts others write for us.
The line:
"Today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten”
is a very relatable one as it echoes how my decade-old pictures reveal a story I once thought complete not knowing that I was only just getting started.
On this note, I'd be starting my year knowing that the rest is still unwritten and there are endless possibilities out there.
Images used belong to me and were taken with my mobile device, except stated otherwise.
