I remember sweet sun on my young face, breeze picking flowers off the neighbor's trees, but that was a long time ago.

I rode bikes with my brothers and sister  to the library to read and play. we climbed trees high as we could dream and still went higher. running and laughing and playing all day was so much fun   but that was a long time ago.

School wasn't about expectations it was about friends. it was about recess and lunchtime and naptime and cooties. Kids being kids with everyone cheering them on,                                    but that was a long time ago.

I remember coming home ready to study, little numbers and big dreams. A diver, a pilot, an astronaut I could be anything I wanted to be. “ the world is your oyster”.

I hate shellfish

I wanted to be good for mom and dad, make them proud, make them happy. But it feels hollow, empty, fake. Like I don't have a will,                                                                                    but that was a long time ago.

I grew, I got smarter. And I watch as they fumbled stumbled and lifelessly stumbled through the world. It dawns, sunrise on the ocean, waking up from a dream. “Why should I care?” “ Why shouldn't I have the time of my life, for the rest of my life?” It was the start of a long journey.

And that was a long time ago.