“When I was little, I used to read this book all the time called Goodnight Moon, and now my little sister is reading it,” said 6th-grade theatre major Riley Stewart.
Having a sibling reliving the same experience you had in your childhood is an aspect of nostalgia. It can create a heartfelt feeling to see your little brother or sister doing what you used to do in the past. “I feel happy that my little sister’s enjoying it as much as I did in my childhood,” Stewart said.
In the stress and strain of middle school and everyday life, special memories can remind us of the simplicity of our lives before they became more complicated with school, after-school activities, and other responsibilities. Nostalgia has a way of making us yearn for moments from the past—when life was simpler.
“I feel like [nostalgia] affects people differently,” said 8th-grade dance major Amelia Jairala. “Some people don’t have good memories [of their childhood], so going back in time could be a little sad or scary.”
Often, we remember a fun memory from our childhood. It has an effect that can trigger a span of emotions. “I really miss when I was little. My parents would often take me to the playground. That was so fun. One of the things that reminds me of my childhood is jumping on the bed,” said seventh-grade theatre major Mia Jiang.
Some of us associate childhood memories with activities we still engage in today. This creates the feeling of nostalgia. “I feel like dance reminds me of my childhood,” Jairala said. Jairala is lucky that her memories are still part of her present life, but for many of us, as time passes, some memories start to fade. And that is entirely normal since our brain needs to make room for new information and experiences. Hence, we often turn to photos, toys, and other tangible things from our childhood as a portal to the times when we had no cares in the world. One can’t help but have that bittersweet feeling about childhood memories—things we like to hold on to, enjoy a used Hello Kitty water bottle you don’t have the heat to throw out, even though it’s been years since the handle broke. The straw went missing, making it totally useless.
Everyone should aspire to have rich memories. If childhood memories are part of them, one is the many quotes about childhood emphasizes that childhood memories, so fragile and distant, are timeless treasures of the heart, carrying so many firsts and memorable moments of life. Perhaps this is why so many live with the hope of returning to “the good old days.”
“Childhood memories affect us by making us feel warm inside and really comfortable, but they also make us miss it a lot,” Jiang said.
Nostalgia is recognized when students are reminded of their childhood. So, when you get to your house, look through some old memory books and ask your parents about any funny stories from when you were a little kid. You can’t relive those memories, but you can remember them.
“One of the things that reminds me of my childhood is jumping on the bed!” — Mia Jian
