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AËLA's avatar

He wanted to rest.

His brain opened the folder:

"Things I probably should have handled differently."

Kindergarten. The snowman. The third girl.

It made him smile a little.

— AËLA

DiscoveryWithGrace's avatar

The way you were able to capture these thoughts as they arrive and putting it out for us to read is what makes this writing very beautiful..

I really relate to the girls part because I guess I am in college and you are at that age where you need someone who is checking up on you, a girl.

I don't disagree that you shouldn't ask 3 girls out. You tried doing so because you wanted it... why should she be sad that you did ?lol.

You are passed that stage now which is why you are able to reflect. I hope one I will l write my own story.

Dan Ackers's avatar

I obviously know now why she felt hurt by it, and I understand her. At the same time, I don't think asking three girls out was some terrible thing for a teenage boy to do either. Teenage hormones aren't always particularly kind to us growing up.

And I'm glad the piece landed :)

DiscoveryWithGrace's avatar

It really did.. I am battling with those hormones actually.

Still 18 though ... I am trying to stay grounded in a way though.

Dan Ackers's avatar

I'd say don't worry about it too much. Being young is when you should try different things, and see what works.

And don't worry about making mistakes, we all make those :)

DiscoveryWithGrace's avatar

Thanks. I will keep what you said in mind.

Siddhartha Mukherjee's avatar

“My brain waits for a moment when I have the least energy, and then opens up the folder…”

Oh yes—the exhausted brain, apparently convinced 2 a.m. is perfect for reviewing ancient embarrassments! And somehow, memory eventually produces a smile.

Funny. Familiar. Human. I'M SUBSCRIBING!

I write at The Reflective State, where one of my ongoing series is Mountain Mysteries—atmospheric tales of mystery, folklore and the unexplained set in the mountains of India.

If curiosity ever brings you my way, I'd genuinely love to know what you think.

Dan Ackers's avatar

2am is a perfectly reasonable time for that.

Mine just manages to do it at 2pm as well.

I'm glad you stopped by, and I'll definitely have a look at your writing too :)

Easy Weezy's avatar

Hey Dan thanks for sharing as you bring back memories of the high school days. have a good one mate

Dan Ackers's avatar

Hah, glad I could help :P

Easy Weezy's avatar

my pleasure mate do take care!!

Ron Del Duca's avatar

I thought I was the only one who had that problem with my brain. Continuously. as i lay saying I'm going go to sleep for a little bit longer and continue to read and comment. wth

Thanks for the story Dan.

Dan Ackers's avatar

I wouldn’t call it a problem. Just an odd feature.

And I’m glad it helped you a little :)

Ron Del Duca's avatar

it's hard to stop an excitable brain. But it's kind of neat too thanks, Dan.

Dan Ackers's avatar

Yup :)

And you’re welcome.

VedJournal ✍️📜's avatar

Those days will never come back, but memories will remain intact.

But we can still live those days once more as a parent, Yeah

My father used to ride my cycle when he first got one for me.

He even used to play soccer with us.

Yes, sometimes parents have to become a kid to live a life of a kid.

Just highlighting this part And I’m back in kindergarten, where we had just built snowmen.

Yeah, I broke a girl’s snowman by accident, and I needed to apologize. It felt really unfair.

I did, eventually. Begrudgingly.

It’s almost like my brain waits for a moment when I have the least energy, and then opens up the folder “things I probably should have handled differently.”