Gemotions

The attic air hung thick with dust and the scent of forgotten summers. Maya, however, barely noticed. A gasp escaped her lips as she lifted the lid of the ancient trunk. Inside, nestled amongst moth-eaten blankets, were her grade school art projects. Her childish doodles, the construction paper turkeys, the popsicle stick castles – all meticulously preserved.

A giggle bubbled up from her chest. She couldn't help herself. Pulling out a crayon-scrawled drawing of her family, she ran downstairs, calling out, "Mom! Look what I found!"

Her mother, initially surprised, quickly softened into a smile. "Oh, those! I couldn't bear to throw any of them away," she said, her voice laced with fond memories. Maya squeezed her mom in a tight embrace, feeling an expansive joy bloom inside her.