Make a Memory

A spark

The thing that shoves a flicker of your past back into the front of your mind. A flare, if you will. Let's say you were walking down the street, the same street you walk down every day to get to where your life requires you go. But this time, instead of continuing down that worn path, you stop in a little shop. A local bookstore. As soon as the little bell in the corner or the door jingles as you slowly walk in, instantly, a memory floods your emotions. The smell of the dusty books, the short, narrow wooden bookshelves, full of old, worn books. You came here lots as a child. With your mother. You were never too fond of the books, but she just adored this little old store, so you came here with her every day. It was worth it, to see that rare smile cross her face, not forced or polite, not even genuine really. Just that spark in her eyes when she recalls coming to a similar store as a child. She scanned the books, read a few pages every day, but always put the books back. You never had the money, and your father would be angry if you spent his hard earned money on useless books. Yet every day you came, to escape. To be free of your lives, and dive into boring old books. That is, until the day came when only one person entered the bookstore, wearing all black. With months of money saved you had bought your mothers favorite book, she read from it many times on her journeys here. As you walked into the freezing December air, tears stung at your eyes. It was so sudden. So sharp. Like a knife pierced your heart, and each day it sunk deeper into your flesh. You walks into the chapel, up to the long sleek box. The room was empty. Everyone had left. You placed the book gently on the side of the box and muttered the last few words to your mother you'd ever speak. You walked out, hoping, more dreaming that your mother was in Heaven. Although Heaven seems impossible at this dark hour. But no longer did you shed a tear, or think of your mother, you tucked her away, the memory too overwhelming. But that faithful day, stepping off your path and into the bookstore after all these years tears flooded down your cheeks, finally letting the memory stay in your heart. Yes, there are what you might say, "good and bad" memories, but there are also the bittersweet ones, that you wish to erase immediately, then all at once you beg for it back again.