I remember

I remember sitting with my mother. I remember being 5 years old, eating saltwater taffy. I remember my favorite flavors and eating until I felt sick. I remember the big comfy chairs sitting side by side in our favorite living room. I remember living in California and all the memories that were left there. I remember my birthday that year, and why it will be the most important. I remember the house we lived in, the street we lived on, and the park next door. I remember every room, Lucky, our pet, and the new swimming pool that year. Before we left, I remember planting the apple tree with my dad, but the pictures help me not to forget. I remember leaving that house for a bigger one on a higher hill, to fit in with everyone's standards of Orange County. I remember the new memories that came with the new house. Bigger house, bigger memories. But I also remember the other reason why we left the first house.

I remember finally leaving our second home to leave the place full of too many standards. I remember starting over, hating it... then loving every moment of it. I remember realizing that not everyone acts how they did where we once lived. I remember getting to know people who were more relaxed and wore sweats everyday. But I still remember the first house and the apple tree that has more importance than most understand. I remember one summer of high school leaving with my best friend back to California. Our parents had no idea, but I had a car and a license. I remember going back to see the houses.. and of course the apple tree.

I remember the new friendships and the new stories, and then getting ready to start all over for the second time. Moving to Arizona. I remember hating it as well, then falling in love with it as I had before. But most of all, I still remember where I started and what I started with in the first house.