I Remember
There was a time when the world was younger, that is the time I remember the most. That’s when I was at my best, when things were simpler, when life was easier, when we all thought nothing could stop us and the world was ours.
There are so many things that happened in my life, from the time that I was born until now. And I remember it all, although looking at me now; you’d never see me for what I once was.
I was small, like most things are when they first start out and not very beautiful, but one couple fell in love the minute they noticed me. They doted on me and they took care of me, but as my family prospered, I began to grow as well.
Parties were held here, holidays celebrated and weddings attended. And I was the center of attention. Everyone complimented on how beautiful I was and how well I held up under the circumstances. So many people admired me that they visited me often.
It was then I noticed that people started to leave. I had heard that they were having families of their own and, for some reason, they couldn’t stay. But I still got to see them every once in a while, although a lot of the time they spent was outdoors. There were still parties and holiday celebrations and the families still came. And it was still busy, especially at those times.
But then something happened. I had heard that my family had run out of money. There was a stock market crash, whatever that was, and people were losing everything they had. There were tragedies all over; one of them even affected my family.
There was talk about moving somewhere else, but nothing ever happened. I even heard that they found some money hidden away and that they would stay with me.
I think it was the next day, I can’t be for sure, I found I had been abandoned, forgotten. My family, who had loved me enough to care for me, had run off in the middle of the night. I was heartbroken.
I do remember someone had come back, I do not know when as I have no knowledge of time as it passes. I wasn’t exactly sure who they were or why they were here. All I know is that they stayed with me comforted me and told me that everything would be alright, that someone would come for me.
One day, he did not come back. Again, there was no one there to care for me. I didn’t know what I was going to do. I needed someone to comfort me, to help and protect me.
Soon there were other people inside, strangers that I didn’t recognize. They began to show up, out of nowhere. I did not know who they were or what they wanted. All I knew is that one by one, they grabbed things, things of value, things that had meant so much to my family.
It was later on that I realized that the strangers were gone and had not returned.
And once again, I was lonely.
Time passed, but not sure how much time. I watched and waited, but things remained quiet. I remembered that I heard noises and glass breaking all around me. I wondered what was happening, but after a while I paid no attention. There was nothing I could do about it anyway.
One day, I heard people talking outside. I wasn’t sure what they wanted, but they seemed to be very excited and interested in something. I couldn’t make out what they were talking about, but I will never forget how very interested they were.
Again, other people showed up. And again, they were strangers to me. But this time, they didn’t take anything, no, this time they brought things with them. They were things to clean with like paint, tools, brooms, soap and water. I watched and waited to see what would happen next.
And I am so glad that I did. I now have new owners and I’m back to myself again. I am as popular as I was when my original family came in, fixed me up and watched me grow.
This is now a place where students, teachers and people from all walks of life come in to look at exhibits, which are changed every three months. People are watching out for me and taking great care of me. There is a sign outside with the word museum for all to see.
I am no longer lonely.
But sometimes, late at night, I always remember my earliest days when I was small and when the world was younger. That’s when I was at my best, when things were simpler, when life was easier, when we all thought nothing could stop us and the world was ours.
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