For my Film class, I watched a movie called Chungking Express, a story of two love-struck police men in a world of motion blurs and energetic colors.
I’ll keep the story short: in one scene, an officer buys pineapple cans that expire May 1st; May being the name of his lost love, his birthday, and the expiration date of their relationship.
He says, “If memories could be canned, would they also have expiry dates? If so, I hope they last for centuries.”
How true is this… How tightly I wish I could hold on to the most precious, happy memories. But also, some are meant to fade.
I think because the year is flying, I’m feeling nostalgic. It happens around the holidays because how quickly they come, but I’m so glad they do. It means another year of growth, cookies, family time, and appreciation.
My mom always tells me that the years go by faster when you’re older. I believe her, no doubt. I always ask to hear stories of when we were little, or if my parents miss us being so small. But she told me that she loves to see all of us doing what we love and figuring out the lives meant for us. Moms are the best.
Back to my point, how cool would it be to have a limitless expiration date for memories? But we aren’t allowed that. We must look back with happiness and gratefulness, but understand that we are only here now. We must leave be relationships that weren’t working, friendships that aren’t deserved, whatever it may be. Some memories, no matter how good, definitely have a time frame. We have to let go.
“I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good ol’ days, before you’ve actually left them.” Thanks, Andy Bernard, for the reminder. We may be nostalgic in 10 years of what we have now, so all we can do is appreciate where our lives are today, even if it’s not our “destination”. I’m using too many quotes but if you know me, then you know I luv them, but really this is so much about a journey. Nothing happens the way we ever predict.
For my friends in other states, curious readers, or whoever stumbles upon this post, another reminder, “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you’ll find you get what you need.” We have to let go, and be in the moment. As my mommy says, “No matter what decision you make, it’ll all work out.”
Sources below ;)
Chungking Express, Mommy & Mollie, Andy, and The Stones