The Dream that was Once a Reality

The Dream that was Once a Reality

    I remember when it was a chilly and cloudy day in early December, and it looked like we weren’t going anywhere for a while. As the heavy pounds of snow swiftly surrounded the front of our house, it created a protective barrier around our red brick walls from the rest of the world. Since I couldn’t go anywhere, I sat comfortably thinking to myself by my frosted windows, looking like I was someplace other than this. Now, I wish I was. 

“Scarlett!” My mom called me down for dinner and I jumped out of my seat and ran downstairs as many kids do. I was then greeted with hugs and a warm fire, giving my cheerfully decorated living room a soft winter glow. The house smelled like the homemade chili my mom was cooking on the stove, and my dad was setting up a hot cocoa bar with marshmallows, sprinkles, whipped cream and everything me and my siblings loved. I was the first to enter the kitchen and the first with a plate in my hand after bolting it down the stairs, only somewhat-patiently waiting with puppy dog eyes. My mom, being the sweet person she is, just let out a soft laugh and sent me away. “Wow you must be hungry, I’m sorry hun’ but it’s not done yet so put that plate down please.” So, I went over to my dad to see what he was doing and he gave me a big smile and secretly handed me a cup of hot cocoa. “Hey sweetie, here, don’t tell mom” A mischievous grin showed up on both of our faces. “Thanks dad!” I whispered, then I hugged him and snuck the mug over to the living room and sat down on the couch with a fuzzy blanket on my lap. My parents seemed to always make every moment so special and comforting, just by being around. Parents are the people who will make you the happiest, or the saddest at times. So, I was just soaking up the atmosphere enjoying the company of my family, but my siblings knew mom would always call us down for dinner a little early so they waited, but I never did. It felt safe, cozy, loving, complete, like how every kid deserves to live out their childhood, all of their childhood. No matter how old they get. Nothing should change because we will forever crave that sweet, silly, wonderful love we're given as a kid. The kind of love I hope to give my kids in the future. 

A few minutes later my siblings arrived downstairs, Vicky, Kate and Marcus. They didn’t look enthusiastic though, which I wasn’t surprised about. I love my siblings though, I just always wondered why they didn’t seem to care about everything as much as I did. Now I understand the older you get, the less optimism you have about what's around you. You no longer have the imagination you once did, and you no longer have that wild, carefree spirit you once did, but that is why I need to protect it forever. I saw the world around me with so much curiosity, so much desire to explore, and with so much love, but to my siblings it seemed like everyday was the same, and I don't know how much time I have left before I'm that way. But, as soon as I saw them I ran over to the kitchen where my parents were already standing, and my mom was passing hot bowls of chili out to all of us. Then, my dad announced to everyone about the post-dinner treats. “Hey everyone hot chocolate and s’mores after dinner! You have to eat all your chili first though!” We smiled at each other. “Thank you!” My sister Kate exclaimed and all the rest of us soon followed her example. My parents looked at one another knowing they raised their children right, and it was all the most perfect moment. After dinner was done, we all grabbed our hot chocolate and watched a Christmas movie. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, even as I’ve grown older, because it never fails to bring kindness and joy into people’s hearts. It seems to give everyone that childlike wonder we all once knew, the wonder I’m trying to hold on to for as long as possible. It also makes us realize how important families are, like in Home Alone. After the movie, we all went upstairs and my mom and dad would tuck me in and kiss me goodnight. I would go to sleep, never having a dream like this one, and the same happiness I felt today would be guaranteed tomorrow. But, after all this, everything began to fade away, falling apart piece by piece, crumbling before my eyes. Then, before I knew it I was awake, filled with nostalgia, joy, and deep pain all at once. It was the type of pain that gives you a lump in your throat, and a knot in your stomach. I feel like I've grown up too fast, everyone else still has the chance to truly be a kid and a teenager. The chance to go out and have fun without hurting anybody else's feelings, or worrying about the consequences because they don't want to be alone. I just want my family to be put back together, like a puzzle, you can always put a puzzle back together, why not a family? I wish my dreams could come true, I wish my dreams were real, I wish this pain of knowing that warmth and constant love I thought I could forever count on was gone could just go away. Knowing I would forever be worrying about how everyone else in my family was doing, forever wondering if they are truly happy instead of just being a kid. Knowing I’ll never be able to reclaim the life I once knew, nor the family I once so dearly cherished. Knowing, nothing will ever be the same.

(I copied and pasted this story from my word docs.)