Sometimes it hurts to yearn for the past, for the feelings of childhood and youth, for the experiences shared with others that we may never feel or relive in the same way again.

This shell reminds me of a trip to the Philippines with my cousin, who I grew up with and share a deep bond with. We went on an impromptu outing to a beach, where we slept in a hut right on the sand in front of the ocean. It was simple, spontaneous, and quietly enduring.

It reminds me why it’s so important to fully experience each moment as it comes. Time moves forward whether we’re ready or not, and the moments we live now will one day echo through us.