In a heartfelt personal essay, a student from Abellana National School captures the universal feeling of nostalgia and the bittersweet journey of growing up. Eliana Jolie Borden penned her reflections, published on January 10, 2026, articulating the complex emotions that come with watching time pass and loved ones age.
The Weight of Passing Time and Precious Memories
Borden begins by painting a vivid picture of solitude, thinking back to simpler days. She recalls a childhood filled with cartoons, uninhibited laughter, and the comfort of a mother's effort to lull her to sleep. These uncherished memories now serve as a poignant contrast to her present reality. The essay highlights a central conflict: the childhood dream of adulthood clashes with the actual responsibilities it brings.
The young writer observes the inevitable changes in her own family circle. Our parents are slowly aging and our loved ones are gradually passing away, she notes, acknowledging the natural cycle of life. Yet, she finds strength in the constant support of family and friends, the very people who witnessed her first steps, first words, and earliest joys and sorrows.
Navigating the Demands of Adulthood
The core of Borden's reflection tackles the transition into young adulthood. The carefree days of playing games are replaced by a relentless schedule of academic pressures. Life is now filled with assignment deadlines, group presentations, household chores and the need to be independent in all ways. She candidly admits that this newfound independence is not exactly what she had envisioned as a child.
This sentiment extends to her relationships with peers. She watches as cousins and friends mature, part ways, and sometimes make choices they once vowed to avoid. This observation leads her to a significant, if difficult, realization: we cannot do anything but accept the fact that we cannot turn back time.
A Message of Acceptance and Living Fully
Rather than dwelling in regret, the Abellana National School student arrives at a message of hope and proactive living. She advocates for personal growth nurtured by love, patience and support from others. While people may come and go, the precious moments shared with them become permanent fixtures in our hearts.
Borden ends her essay by embracing the well-known adage that life is short. She urges readers to treasure every moment, pursue dreams, show kindness even to detractors, and ultimately, live authentically. We should make the best out of it, she writes, emphasizing that we only live once. Her final call is to live life fully, with contentment and happiness, holding onto the lessons and love from the past while boldly facing the future.
