Of memories never forgotten

(Editor's note: Tuckahoe Middle School seventh-grade English students recently wrote editorials designed to persuade Henrico citizens to read, listen to or watch a story or book that reflected their individual cultures, as a way to help others better understand them. This is one of those editorials; click here to read others.)

Hello, my name is Amina Rogers! I’m a African-American female teenager who attends Tuckahoe Middle School in Henrico. I’m an artist and piano player, I have loving parents, and I’m good at math and science. I love, love, watching anime and cartoons. I have ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), and that’s what makes me learn differently from other people. I got bullied by some of my peers since 2nd - 4th/5th grade because they told me I was acting wierd. For example, talking by myself, doing repetitive movements, saying random stuff that has nothing to do with the topic, not speaking properly, and/or etc. And that’s what I really wanted people to know! But I, myself, didn't know I had a disability back then, which makes it even worse. But that doesn’t really bother me though, because I’m really smart and I always keep up with my work and assignments from all of my classes. We, autistic people have a good source of memory, and we’re really, really smart!

A couple of years ago (it’s actually 5 ½ years ago), I unexpectedly encountered a song called Never Forget You on YouTube because I was holding my tablet in my room, and I was about to touch a different song on the screen. But as I got distracted by my cousin though, I pressed one of my fingers on this song instead. Which was extremely rare for an individual to encounter a song like that, but if you notice the meaning of the song behind those words, then it will make you cry like a baby who lost its toy. This song was also written by Zara Larsson and MNEK (their song artists), and directed by Richard Paris Wilson. It gives us a meaningful yet bittersweet message about how you should never forget your loved ones until you die. This song Never Forget You doesn’t have a character though, but it also has a lyrics that reflected me so well that it brings back so many memories of someone that I lost, and three people that I care dearly and deeply.

A long time ago, Aunt Bunny and I became really close. She died surrounded by loved ones in April of 2015, when I was only 7 years old. After all these years I grieve for her. When I was in kindergarten at Reams Road Elementary, I met these two boys who are my childhood friends that are really nice, kind, sweet, and gentle kids to be with. They were neighbors to my grandmother and we used to play outside. Somehow, it doesn’t last very long though. As if, they moved away into another house. This leads me to be devastated! I was sad that they moved away where I will never see them again. I still remember them in my dearest childhood memories. When I was in pre-K or kindergarten, I met my 1st favorite teacher, Mrs. Johnson, at Reams Road Elementary school in Chesterfield County.

I chose this sentimental song so it can bring back nostalgic memories for my peers, teachers, parents, and community. Will it be impactful for my community to listen to this song? Well. . .  it depends on that person if the song is impactful to them or not. When this song was over, I felt happy because I remember the memories we once shared. I hope that this song brings you joy like it did for me.