The Memory Tree

A tree looms over me. From afar, it looks like a normal cherry blossom, but close up I can see it’s special. It has an aura of the past, as though someone zapped it into the future. The clouds drift away, revealing the bright afternoon sun, and the tree glimmers. As my eyes adjust to the glimmering tree and the bright sun, I realize it’s only the light pink leaves that are shimmering. I reach up and brush my fingers with a leaf. Then, I lightly pluck it and turn it over. A picture shimmers there, a picture of a little me and another girl. Amazed, I pluck another leaf, this one with words. As I read, my theory is confirmed. This is the memory tree. A tree that holds the beauty of my world within its leaves, for every leaf holds a forgotten memory. Suddenly, the tree has me entranced, I must read more, see more wonderful, beautiful memories. I pluck leaf after leaf, remember memory after memory. I reach up, hungrily, wanting to see more of the beauty of my world. My memories. My world. My everything. But suddenly, I’m falling. Falling away from my beautiful world. I need more, I have to get back. I-

I am lying on my bed. Eyes wide, breathing hard. Slowly, I sit up and drink the glass of water on my bedside table. Then I pick up my journal and begin scribbling down every memory that has been awakened within me, never wanting to forget them again.