Christmas break was the last time I walked out of the three-year-old, polished, brown and red building that had become my high school just back in August. I remember that day as if it was just yesterday; it had been probably one the most significant moments of my life. The other students had gushed elatedly out the door to kickstart their holiday festivities, their inescapable return in the succeeding two weeks appeared distant. I, however, was not ever coming back. I had glanced back at the school and let the worth of that moment sink in. I was going to be moving, in the very middle of my freshman year, and I had felt as if my life was forever changing. During the Christmas break, there was no celebration, no wrapping of gifts, no last-minute Christmas shopping and no unwrapping of the presents instead my family and I were gathering up our belongings and leaving the fast pace big city known as Phoenix. 

I turned away and began walking towards the house I used to call home. For the last time I would be walking past the old flower shop that contained beautiful lily’s, tulips, roses, and my favorite, lotus flowers. I put my head down and continued walking, kicking over a few pebbles here and there trying to somehow make time slow down, so I could cherish the walk. I slowly approached the two-story home that held the bright red and white sign saying, “FOR SALE.” I felt like I was going to break down, I could not breathe, my whole world was crashing down, and it was just getting worse as everything became reality. I wondered how was it that I could be feeling so hopeless during the most joyful time of the year? What I would give to be able to unwrap gifts with those I call friends, but instead I’m being ripped away from all I hold dear and forced to go to a foreign land.

I walked inside the house seeing mountains of packed boxes that were filled with the physical aspects of my memories but, yet, my heart was drowning in sorrow.  I glanced over and looked at the wall that memorialized my childhood growth progression. I felt like a piece of me was being ripped out and left behind with the house I once called home. Movers trialed in and out of the house taking away those boxes cherished recollections and soon the whole house was empty. The family dinner was to be ate on the road to El Paso, instead of the cozy home in Phoenix. I sunk into the passenger seat hating the idea of a new beginning in life. I wanted to disappear so desperately, but I knew that the inevitable was to happen. While I was feeling as if life was moving on without me, I however will have to face my new future in an unfamiliar land. The dark that hung over me began to lift as I saw the golden arches of McDonald’s. I felt secure, safe, as if a piece of my old life travelled ahead to meet me. I ordered a McChicken with buffalo sauce and a small fry, the dark cloud though came back as soon as I was told they had no more Strawberry Crème pies. The move to El Paso continued and my life was forever changed.

It's been a year and a half now since I unpacked the first of the boxes containing memories of mine that will never be forgotten. I’ve discovered all the corners and cracks of my new house. I’ve made friends that I treasure just as much as the old ones from Phoenix. However, I do miss things from before I moved. There has been a single problem that has bothered me with this city, the McDonald’s lack when it comes to food, they are always out of Strawberry Crème pies and I have never been able to fill that longing for one ever since my move to El Paso. The memories I have there will always be a part of me, but my future lies here in El Paso I'll get my first job and maybe buy my first car here. In the spring of 2020, I’ll even graduate wearing that a maroon robe. Beyond that, I don’t know how much my move will affect me, for life is uncertain. I will have to take it as it comes.