Over the past 12 months I have been re-visiting the past and it has been a fascinating journey.
One of the trips down memory lane occured while I was editing and compiling a 25 Year History ebook on a basketball association, in which I was a foundation member.
403 pages, dozens of photographs, newspaper articles, reflections, games, statisitics, illustrations, and faces came alive and I felt a sense of euphoria and nostalgia about the ‘good, bad, mad, and sad old days’. The ebook now sits quietly in my computer waiting to be revisited when the urge to do so occurs.
The other trip down memory lane has been ongoing as I have flitted backwards into time, doing research for a book I am writing about my childhood days in Fitzroy during the 1960’s. I recently walked the streets of Fitzroy and took numerous photos of the buildings, laneways, roofs, and intersections of my youth. Behind every photo is a snippet of information and emotion waiting to be released on paper.
The visits are nostalgic which I enjoy and at times am saddened by the experiences of my youth. But you know, I wouldn’t want to live in the past permanently because you can outstay your welcome.
And if you are not living in the ‘here and now’ you are not really living. You’re just occuping time and space.
All true. Interesting how little pieces of our past — like photos can create a flow of memories. It seems the task, as you said is to keep the trips to the past short ones…and stay in the moment. Love the title! : ) /toni