IVAN!

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Ivan!

Most things in life, like celebrations, come and go as they will. Even friendship between close friends dries up and dies like they never even took place.

Friends forgetting friends, is only human and happens all the time. Why? Because people move on with their lives and forget what’s left behind!

In my life as a lower grade pupil, I still have lingering memories I shared with my friend. Would you believe me if I told you that our life-long friendship stretches from childhood .

Ivan and I were in the same grade.  I used to stop by Ivan’s house every school day to fetch him.

Incredibly, Ivan lived only 100 meters from our school, but I never recall finding Ivan ready and waiting. Instead, I had to wait for Ivan as his mother checked him and made sure he was good to go.

Ivan and I went separate ways when we got promoted to start high school. After this, we completely lost each other even when we were staying in the same area.

Days, weeks, months, and years flew past over our heads like fast  flying clouds. What can I say? After all, we were just kids

Walking down these rugged planes of life has taught me; that the mind forgets what the heart cannot afford to lose!

Sometimes, it’s hard to detect who’s fooling who. What drives me to be so emotional about my yesteryears?

Is it from my heart or my mind getting stuck in the past? Remember, the heart, like the mind, has its own memory.

The heart always remembers what the mind forgets and fails to remember!

Some things in life stick like flesh to our bones. There’s no amount of force and power in the world to separate.

Ivan, O’ Ivan! Over the years, I’ve had to endure this unending hangover  keeping me wondering about your whereabouts and state of being.

Sometimes, I stare up at the blue skies above my head and ask the heavens.

Is there a chance for this poor soul to be afforded another moment and reunite with my long-lost childhood friend?

God knows, I would leave my heart and soul alone if I could only shake off this beautiful nostalgia I shared with my friend Ivan!

As a matter of fact, Ivan is the only soul I knew by this name. Throughout all my walks around the corners of this world: I have not met another person bearing the same name.

How can I forget my good old friend Ivan? His beautiful permanent dimpled wry smile always jumps to my eyes, as if it was only yesterday!

Ivan. If the heavens above open one day and help us to reunite, I really have no words to say.

We would have so much catch-up to do. I live to see the day when someone closest to your family will help me find closure about your state of being.

Whether dead or alive, Ivan remains locked up inside my heart and soul till I go to my grave one day.

If my heart had a reset button I would have long pressed it and reset these nostalgic moods about Ivan gnawing into my heart and soul.

I watched a video today on YouTube about two friends who accidentally bumped into each other after more than fifty years.

O’ God, this mightily triggered all the good memories I shared with Ivan. My heart rolled back in time and in slow motion.

This put me back inside Ivan’s house as I find myself playing and chatting heartily with my long-lost friend Ivan. Phew!

I believe that God uses our good memories to prolong our life on earth. Without good memories in our hearts, the hunger to press on rapidly dies and we lose all hope to live.

I thank God above, for all the good childhood memories that have kept me going.

With each passing day I looked forward to meeting and reuniting with my childhood friend.

Even to this day as I write these memoirs, Ivan has been a part of my thoughts right to the last line! Where else can I attach this time-defying strong and lasting bond?

Remember? The heart remembers what the mind forgets and cannot afford to lose!

Ivan and I were paired in Heaven. Our love, friendship, and respect for each other were out of this world!

Never to be repeated. Incredibly nostalgic!


Ivan Remembered By: Sydney Pikelela Gutyungwa
© August 1st, 2025
Feature Title Song: Say I Won't
From The Title Album: Sing My Song
Smooth Jazz Artist: Euge Groove
© 2020

DISCLAIMER

ALL COPYRIGHTED MUSIC VIDEOS USED IN THIS BLOG ARE NOT MONETIZED BUT USED ONLY TO HIGHLIGHT AND ENHANCE READING: POEMS, ESSAYS AND NARRATIVES OF THE AUTHOR. I DO NOT OWN ANY MUSIC COPYRIGHT: ALL VIDEOS ARE USED WITH DUE RESPECT TO THE ARTISTS IN FAIR USE MANNER!


 

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