The opinions expressed within this article are those of the writer alone and do not represent the viewpoints of Her Campus. This piece is crafted by a student writer from the Her Campus at Toronto MU chapter. It takes us on a poignant journey through the years, from the carefree days of childhood to the present moment of growing older. Unraveling the Tapestry of Growing Up and Nostalgia
Childhood Memories: A Tapestry of Laughter and Connection
At the tender age of 10, a decade ago, I would rise at 5 a.m. to catch the iCarly reruns before my cousins awoke from their slumber on hard floorboards and lanky mattresses. We would gather in the mosque, our faces reddening with held-back laughter in the silent prayer area until the aunties grew tired of us. We would dye our hair with blue Kool-Aid and attempt to make kulfi using just milk and nuts. And as night fell, we would joyfully chase their parents' cars to the end of the street, waving goodbye, knowing that the next time we would meet would be a special occasion. These memories are like precious gems, embedded in the fabric of our lives.During those years, my mother immigrated from Pakistan at the young age of 12. She had to learn a new language and trust her parents to guide her through this significant change. She vividly recalls eight of her family members swinging on a single tall swing in Hyderabad, Pakistan. Now, decades later, the people she grew up with are scattered across the world. It was only recently that she reunited with them after 30 long years. I saw the tears of love fill her eyes when she flew eight hours to finally see her cousins in Europe. She left the living room, wiping her eyes, overwhelmed by the warmth of their embrace. It was as if they were 12 again, giggling all night with turmeric face masks on their faces.My father arrived in Canada when he was 18 and lived in a three-bedroom apartment in the Laurence and Keele area with his family of seven. I was fortunate to live just a few minutes away from each of their homes. But as we all grow older, I feel like I'm losing something that I once considered my entire world.The Shift in Conversations and Relationships
When we were just kids, conversations seemed to have no end. We would laugh until our sides ached and cry until our eyes were swollen. We couldn't wait to grow up, believing that adulthood held all the answers. But now, as we grow older, conversations turn dry, and distance becomes a burden. Time seems to slow down, and the tension in the air is palpable. We realize that family doesn't feel the same as it once did. Nostalgia can be a double-edged sword, taunting us with the fact that we can never go back to what was. Yet, it also serves as a warm reminder of the life we once lived.I always wanted to find my own answers. I began to notice the dynamic changes in relationships as I grew from a child to an adult. We all have unique values, process things differently, and have different interests. It's perfectly okay to encounter the same stage of life in our own ways.Coming of Age: Toys and Memories
During the coming of age years, I had the most toys to play with and a plethora of stuffed animals that soon gathered dust in the basement. But these toys were more than just objects; they represented a part of my childhood. I also had Robert Munsch books to read, even if they were bought at a discount from the thrift store. We had wild family picnics where we ate biryani and barbecue kabobs until the sun set in August. These memories are etched in my heart, a testament to the simplicity and joy of childhood.Estrangement is a nostalgic feeling when one looks back on life as it unfolds. I cherish the late-night walks in salwar kameez after family gatherings. We would spend days at the mall, where $10 could get us a meal and a surprise bag of overstocked jewellery and trinkets. And on long summer nights, we would chase the ice cream truck for four-dollar Cry Baby sour ice until our tongues went numb. These moments are a reminder of the beauty of youth, with its innocence, connection, and the delicate complexities that shape who we are.Yes, estrangement is a nostalgic feeling, but it also teaches us the value of treasuring the present and looking forward to what the future holds. As we grow older, we carry these memories with us, guiding us through the ups and downs of life.
