Imagine walking through a gallery where every painting is a memory from your past, but the colors are fading, and the details are blurry. That’s what my mind feels like a big museum with exhibits that slowly disappear into the fog.

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I remember when names and faces were as clear as day. My childhood home, the laughter of old friends, the warmth of family gatherings-they were all vivid and close. But now, it’s like trying to remember the words to a song I once knew by heart. The melody is there, but the lyrics? They’re lost somewhere in the mist.

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The song "A Sky Full of Stars" by Coldplay often plays in the background of my mind. "I don’t care, go on and tear me apart," the song says. I hear it, and it takes me back to a time when the stars in my life were bright and clear. But now, those stars are dimming. Like the words to the song, the memories are slipping away. "Cause you’re a sky, 'cause you’re a sky full of stars." Yes, they were my stars-my family, my friends-but now, they’re twinkling faintly in the distance.

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I try to put together pieces of history, but it’s like doing a puzzle where half the pieces are missing. I know something is there, just out of reach. I hear stories about events and places I should remember, and I nod along, but often, it feels like they’re talking about someone else’s life, not mine.

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I remember big moments in Sri Lanka's recent history. I recall the end of the civil war in 2009, which brought hope to the country, and the joy we felt during the 2011 Cricket World Cup. I also remember the tough times, like the floods in 2011 and 2016 that challenged our resilience.Hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2013 made us proud, and the 2015 presidential election brought changes to the country. The tragic Easter Sunday bombings in 2019 are still fresh in my mind, a day that left us all in shock and grief. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought many challenges, and the economic crisis in 2022 led to protests and a call for change from the people. These events are important parts of our history, but they are becoming harder for me to recall clearly, like memories slipping away.

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Sometimes, I look at old photographs and see faces I know I should recognize. A smile, a gesture, a place-they all seem familiar but just out of reach. I know these people were once important in my life. I see myself with them in pictures, but the stories behind those images are like shadows slipping away. It’s a strange feeling, knowing something was once so important but now feels so distant.

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There are moments when I get a brief flash of the past-maybe a smell, a song, or a familiar place. It’s like a light briefly shining in the darkness. I remember dancing to Jennifer Lopez, celebrating milestones with loved ones, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Those moments of clarity are precious, like little lifelines that connect me to the person I used to be.

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But as time goes on, the clarity gets overshadowed by confusion. Conversations become harder, and names become just sounds, not people. Dates and events blur together, making it hard to keep track. I try to hold on to the feelings-the warmth of love, the comfort of companionship-even when the details escape me.

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When I forget, it’s not just about losing facts or events; it’s about feeling disconnected from my own history. But even as the details fade, the feelings of joy, love, and belonging are still with me, hidden beneath the layers of forgetfulness.

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So if I don’t remember the name of that old friend, or if I struggle to recall a special family event, please be patient. Share the stories, show me the photos, and remind me of our shared history. Even though the details might fade, the love and connection we’ve shared are deeply rooted in my heart. And that’s something I’ll always hold on to, no matter how much else slips away.