Our relationships (and therefore the memories of them) are not simply passing through our lives, but rather essential to our becoming.  Lately, memories have been haunting various parts of my day, often halting me in the middle of a test or while driving down the street. Usually sneaking up on me, reminding me of a particular moment, even bringing with it the scents, the sounds and an ache that comes from within my chest. Interestingly enough they have been happy, joyous moments that I would never trade for anything but leave me wanting more, missing those moments, wanting to ask why someone would give it away? Why it wasn’t enough? Symbols can often trigger this just as much. While some in my situation may have done a ritual “cleansing” of all their symbols, I chose to hold them dear to my heart. Not for the expectation of anything, but simply for all they represent. A blanket bought to soothe the soul, a souvenier of a European adventure, a picture recapturing a moment of laughter. It is these symbols of a first love that I hold onto not only for the memories but to hope for the future.