That chapter helped create the story of my life. A rich book of experiences that shaped me into the person I am today. Strongly bound and standing tall on the estante of life. And yet now, those memories have grown so faint, like text on a page left too long in the sun. No matter how hard I try, I can barely recall them.
Out of curiosity, I turned to the internet, falling down a rabbit hole until two in the morning, searching for footage from that era. Something familiar. Something I could grab hold of. Limassol. Episkopi. Akrotiri. Coral Bay. Lefkara. Places that should be engrained into my memory.
But despite hours of searching, I found nothing that stirred recognition. Just grainy, forgettable clips that left me unexpectedly sad. The transformation of those places is astounding. So modern. So vibrant. So utterly different from the places I once knew. Time changes places, but it also quietly changes our recollection of them.
Back in the late eighties and early nineties, capturing memories was very different. There were no smartphones. No social media uploads. Just VHS tapes and 35mm cameras. I suddenly remembered writing letters on airmail paper and making the occasional phone call home from a public telephone box.
Looking back now, I wish I had taken more photos. Written down more stories. Captured the ordinary details I assumed I would never forget.
So here is my advice as we step into another New Year. Take photos of the places you live. The people you love. The life you are building. One day, you may wish you had.
Because when memories fade, photos and stories keep the past alive. They become something tangible. Something you can hold. And something you can one day hand down to your children.
Life can change fast. And the most ordinary moments often become the most extraordinary, given time.
--- Jan 2025 ---
If any of this resonated with you, please leave a comment. Thank you in advance, Tracey x
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