As I sit on the concrete structure that I believe leads to the sewers, my eyes are drawn to a new addition that has taken over the other side. There is now a large-leafed plant that covers the beginning parts of the woods, I have never seen this plant before. It is crazy to see how much a place that is so ingrained in my childhood has changed so much.
This creek that was like a home to me, has now become a home to a new species. This was the place that my friends and I would adventure to, film videos, and blast music. Those woods, across the creek just a few feet away were my freedom, they let my friends and I escape from the confines of our homes and let us be whoever we wanted to be. I could go on and on of the memories that I have, from the numerous shoes I have ruined to the countless laughs that echoed through the woods.
I take a moment to appreciate the simplicity of the life I led just about seven years ago. The bonds that I formed, just a few feet away from where I sat now, were unbreakable. As I look around I spot two broken pieces of wood that lay across the creek. I realize these are the attempts of the ‘younger’ generation of my neighborhood to cross the creek. It made me so happy to know that they are now making their own memories.
English 110 Spring 2020 10:10-11:00 
Hey Riya, I really enjoyed reading your essay. It was really sentimental for me to read because it reminded me of my own childhood memories. I like that you talked about your own childhood experiences in the woods and then ended your piece talking about the new memories that kids will make. I feel that same happiness when I see the kids in my neighborhood running around and making memories of their own. This was a really cool piece to read and I liked that you kept it short and sweet as well,
LikeLike
Hi Riya, I always love reading your writing, because it’s always beautiful. The way you used this assignment to reminisce on your childhood is really interesting. I especially like the line ” could go on and on of the memories that I have, from the numerous shoes I have ruined to the countless laughs that echoed through the woods.” I think this conveys just how emotionally connected to the place you chose to visit, and I find it cool how a place can hold such emotional value to us. I’m happy you were able to revisit not only the place, but the memories.
LikeLike
Hey Riya! I found a lot of sentimental value in this essay, because of how you chose to carefully reminisce on the past but bring light to it in future times. It meant a lot to read how you related a place with such memories because it’s safe to say that eeryone has that one place they hold certain memories to. I appreciated the words you used such as “ingrained” and “echoed” because it adores a nostalgic feeling that you portrayed wonderfully to us, people who do not hold attachment as you do. Loved the read, keep it up!
Emilie Lauria
LikeLike
Riya, I really loved this piece and all your writing for that matter because there’s always a sense of relatability to it. I get the burst of nostalgia from reading your piece even though I have no connection to a creek like you do, but it is similar to seeing people carve out their initials in the one tree me and my friends did when we were younger. You’re writing was very flowy and relaxed it really made me enjoy every aspect of it as well as allow my mind to wander to my own experiences that I haven’t thought about in a while.
LikeLike