I am staring out a window and not just any window
One from my past, in my present, and surely in my future
Forever ingrained in my memory
I used to stare out this window as a tiny 1-year-old me with my family
I would stare at the big cherry tree in our front yard, dreaming about Grandma Millie’s famous cherry pie
The luxurious smell enticed me to be on my best behavior to earn an extra slice
Fast forward, I am 6 years old
I had a bad day at school
Friends
Betrayal
A complicated issue for someone so young
Felt alone
Scared
Wanted to cry so badly
Staring out the window at the cherry tree, I felt better
I had to be strong
Calming down, I depended on that cherry tree until the day its leaves wilted
Its sweet, luscious cherries shriveled
My friend, my protector, my mentor… Gone
Many years later, at 17 years of age
I’m getting ready to graduate and leave for college
I’ll miss the cherry tree
I’ll miss the window
But I’ll savor the taste of Grandma Millie’s cherry pie and cherish the memories of watching the cherry tree through the window, hoping that the light from those precious moments will guide me forward no matter what
Published November 2, 2021
Written by Mackenzie Chen ~ Graphics created by Fiona Xu
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