Bits of My Ideas

For Old Times' Sake

Stole a phrase from the pin above cuz it's too good not to use.

~~~

Keep things like how they used to be, like how they're supposed to be.

Use two pens in turn at once, so that if one of them was borrowed, it wouldn't be sharp and trippy like completely new ones. And so that they wouldn't be hissing in annoyance when the tip of the new pen got stuck on paper. In case they forgot their pencil case, just like how they used to.

Keep a pack of tissues in your pocket. Even if you don't normally use them unless you really have to. Even if the whole pack runs out simply by being given out to the others who ask for them. In case they forgot their handkerchief in the laundry, because their nose was always runny.

Keep your glasses case in your bag, together with the cleaning cloth. Even if your dirty lenses don't bother you that much unless you really can't see. Because they would complain about a single spot of dust on theirs. Because they were picky and would refuse to wipe them with anything other than a piece of glasses cleaning cloth itself. Every time you wipe your glasses with the edge of your t-shirt, ignore the presence of the case in your first zip, because it's theirs to use, and their choice to leave unused.

Bring two bookmarks, one for you and another spare. Because they always went the easy way and dog-eared the page they reached, unless you spread it back and slipped your bookmark in between. Make sure it's your handmade because you never got them back, and they would end up keeping your craft until they lost it. When a random little kid asks about your cute little bookmark, give it to them because you lose it either way.

Keep a bunch of sour sweets in your pencil case for when they started yawning and asking you for lemons. Add something fancier on your birthday and theirs, in case they asked for presents and you wanted to joke around. Even if the sweets end up melting in the wrappers from the heat. Even if you end up eating them by yourself the whole year round. Maybe offer one or two to your not-really-new deskie?

Make the coffee for two on weekend mornings. Even if you end up drinking it when it turns cold and bitter. Even if you end up dumping it down the sink because you don't have the heart to bring that special cup you chose for them to your lips. In case they showed up at your doorstep during breakfast, just like the old times.

Buy an extra postcard or souvenir on a trip. Even if you end up sticking two postcards to your already messy wall or giving the souvenir to a random person. Smile at the teasing questions from an old lady at the shop asking why you're taking so long to choose one, and pretend like you don't hear her saying that the one you'll be giving the gift to must be someone special. Pick something with their favourite colour, just like how you did back then.

Just for old times' sake, don't break your habits, will you? Keep the memories alive, for the joy they used to bring, for the love that used to be here.

28th April 2024, Sunday