A Walk to Remember

A walk to remember

Hot lazy days in the summer sun and the smell of burning gum leaves brought back sweet and bitter remembrances of my childhood past. Walking past the massive trunk of the eucalyptus tree, I allowed the tranquility of the moment and the intense warmth of the early morning sun to seize my soul. I inhaled deeply; allowing the aromatic yet poignant scent of the gum leaves hovering in the air, fill my lungs.

I lazily gazed upon the scenery, which enclosed me. The arising sun was still low in the morning sky, bracing itself to emerge with pride and radiate its heat throughout the land. The vast vicinity of my grandmother’s estate was arrayed with greenery, which contrasted with the auburn of my hair. I glanced ahead at the body of the swerving river, normally restless, yet now placid without an evidence of even a ripple. Eucalyptus evergreens created the foundations of the parkland, like the icing on a cake. I sat beside the trunk of the eucalyptus tree on the moist grass.

I awkwardly shifted in my position. The grass was still moist from the early morning dew. A warm breeze acknowledged my presence, gently blowing tendrils of my short hair across my face. I exhaled deeply, releasing a sigh. I glanced down at the charm bracelet that I embraced in my hand. I swallowed the invisible lump, which had formed at the back of my throat. I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs once again with the pungent smell of gum leaves. I sighed, and closed my eyes. The bracelet…the scent of gum leaves…the warmth of the sun…the river…the entire parkland brought back aching memories. Sweet, yet bitter remembrances, which would forever remain, and never depart the deepest core of my mind.

With my eyes firmly closed, I once again traveled back through my memory lane. I was thirteen once more…

I was petrified. My beloved grandmother had passed away on my thirteenth birthday, leaving me with her prodigious manor, vast estate, wealthy possessions…and a charm bracelet endowed with a letter. Several hours before rosemary perished, I had returned from another day of miserable schooling. My grandmother had greeted me with an endearing embrace. Wishing me a prosperous thirteenth birthday, she had presented me with a charm bracelet and a letter…without another word she had left the room without conveying any hint that would have told me it was her last hour. My grandmother had been the only family I had left in my life…the only being who loved me so dearly…the only person I would always confide in… My parents had died in a car crash when I was two months of age, leaving me to be brought up by grandmother rosemary. I grew up to be an introversive child. Never had any friends, although I always tried to imagine how pleasant it would be, to have a friend. Someone who I'd be able to trust. Confide in. Share