I recently got a new video camera!

Once I got my hands on a memory card for it, I went to Akershus Fortress to test it out. After all, I did have some free time before my top secret mission began.

From the fortress walls I could see black smoke rising from the south, from Nesodden. Did I accidentally start a fire again? I check the local news and see this image. Phew. Wasn’t me this time.

The grocery store of my childhood – on fire! It played such a big part of my early life. Countless memories of walking to and from that store. Walking the isles with friends and family. The tragic moment when I accidentally bought buns with raisins instead of chocolate. The time I entered a drawing competition held there, and won a gigantic rhino plushy.. So strange to see it all on fire, a place that will no longer exist, forever lost to time.

At the end of the day, I made my way through the forest, to say my final goodbye.

This wasn’t the first time I saw my past burn. I’ve been through it many times. It’s a necessary process to avoid stagnation. Everything comes to an end, even you and me. You should never burn everything, however. Before the building was burnt to the ground, various bits and pieces were removed, as they were deemed unsuitable for burning. Sheltered from the scorching flames.

Memories is sometimes all we have left of the past. A memento here, a photograph there.

I hope whomever is reading this, that they’re doing ok. It feels like everyone I’ve talked to lately is going through their own personal hell, and it sucks that we all have to face so much misery on our own. Maybe spring will wash away some of our collective sorrows.