While life is all about going forward, the promising future, you can’t help but think about the past, can you? A treasure trove of all that you were, something more precious than words could ever show.
Every time I take a trip down memory lane I see myself, left behind, a shadowy figure almost, unable to tear rapports nurtured fondly, however frivolous. I feel parts of me stranded are at several junctures, long traversed. I know it sounds ridiculous but you might want to give it a thought. Maybe you feel the same way too; with some varying connotations perhaps.
When I form a bond a part of me stays back, always. Memories or emotions, call it what you may, but there is certainly something that ties the present to those past curves in life. A certain kind of verve, in my view, forces you to turn back and you see your very own self staring right back at you, a segment left behind at every significant fork.
Today I keep going back to that bit of me left behind in Shillong. I grew up there, which you might know by now since I keep talking about it from time to time. Or, rather from post to post.Shillong for me is the most beautiful place in the world, one which has made me what I am today. My thoughts, beliefs and even the things I like, are very much a result of my years there. Maybe because it is so close to my heart that I tend to neglect anything wrong with it, if anything at all. Peaceful, yes that’s what I feel when I let myself drift away to the calming memories of the place which was once home.
If you ask me where I’d rather be if given a chance, a chance to run away from the musts of life, I’d say Shillong. It’s a part of me, within me and somehow I still miss it.
Have you ever missed a place? If you did then you’ll know how it is. Carrying its memories, lanes, streets and just everything about it anywhere you go. There was nor is any other place that compares. And there will never ever be another one too. Shillong for me is that. It is my yardstick to a happy life. Does it make sense to you?
My home there, a cottage surrounded by hills, trees, and a beautiful garden. I don’t think I’ll ever get to live anywhere as charming as that again. Little did I know then that my life there was just a temporary phase? I still close my eyes and take a tour of my school placed on top of a hill overlooking the busiest square in town. A smile appears on my lips instantly thinking about fetes and inter school championships. The camaraderie, romances and friendships, innocence and sentiments at its best. Purest and unadulterated. Friends that I made there are still very much a part of my life, the ones who truly care.I think of it as a painting, a living and breathing portrait, in green and vibrant colors of spring. And then when I turn to winters it all dons reds and greens. It’s my happy place. I take refuge in its memories to hide from the insensitivity of life as a grown up. Shillong is everything that I identify bliss with. I miss it and maybe I always will. In fact, I know I always will. The only solace is perhaps getting lost in its memories occasionally and knowing for a fact that a part of me is still very much there.
Tell me, do you feel this way about any place? And, do you think a part of you is still there?
There is one place – park behind my college. It's a big big one and I always feel like going there and sitting there for hours together. As far as my parents home is concerned, it's like yours – a cottage on a hill but I hardly spent my time there.
I think a lot of people would say home. And somewhere near home, because it's someting we grow up on and kind of becomes a part of us, I suppose. Since I've been a nomad all my life, i guess for me it would be London. I've spent the better part of my adult life here and I always find myself looking back there. Esp during the festive season that is December …lovely post, Naba
I have so many placex — my grandpa's house in Unnao, my school and college days in Mumbai, my newly wed days in California. I guess I leave a part of me in every place I've lived in.
I miss my parents house and being able to go home when I want. Their house was demolished when my Dad died and the property was sold. They put a pharmacy in its place and it is just not the same.
It sounds like a lovely place, and I totally understand what you mean about the past and memories – in fact, I was just thinking along those lines myself, last night! For me it's not so much places as certain times in my life that call to me.
Few places have magic imbibed in it, that's why we feel so happy and relaxed
nice post! sometimes some places as if enter our blood and become an extension of our selves.
Interesting post and timing Naba as I was thinking along these lines yesterday, I think due to another blog post. I don't know if I've really missed any place as where I live now feels the most 'at home' place I can think of. Sometimes though, I wonder what life would be like if I still lived in Europe where I was born… 😉 <3
I miss it too. It is the Switzerland of india. I stayed there as a child and was there a few years back. Just love the place.
I sometimes feel sad that the younger kids, living in cities would never know what it feels to pluck plums from the garden and make marmalade, to relish in the beauty of green all around. To believe that hill stations are not just place of vacation, but they can be home too. Beautiful and nostalgic post Naba. I can so relate to you. Shillong is breathtaking.
I miss my hometown so much. I was born and brought up there and was there tor 22 years of life. And now it's just a vacation spot. Every time someone uploads a picture of a hangout or if someone msgs it's raining heavily, that itself makes me miss my place like anything. Home always holds a special place in our hearts, no matter where ever we go.
Of course I do… A part of me remains in every city I have lived.
And, if whenever I visit those places, they transport me to that time when I was younger… Nicely penned!
I think of it as a painting, a living and breathing portrait, in green and vibrant colors of spring, loved this line so much that I cant express. A little higher than Dehradun is a place called Chakrata and what you have written her just transported me back there.
I feel the same way about my school.. I do not want to go back there, but I kind of enjoy thinking about how I was then, what I did and stuff like that..
Enjoyed reading the post..
I think I have a lot of such places. Since we have lived in so many places, I have some wonderful memories/moments attached to each place and I guess a part of me is there at all these places!