This Old Computer

This computer was once mine. It was the first one I ever bought. Shortly after moving out, I gave it to my parents to replace their old one, which was terribly short on memory. Before I did, I transferred the important files I wanted to keep, like the little scraps of text, photos and songs I had found and saved over the years.

This computer is like an old house. It contains memories of my past. When I left it, I packed away programs and games like they were childhood toys. They didn't complete the trip to my new computer, but exist solely as CDs and manuals stacked in a spare closet.

The only "box" I left behind was a folder labeled "David". There wasn't much in it, just a few songs: Dido's "Here With Me", Weezer's "Dope Nose", U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and The Basics' "O Holy Night". They were something to listen to when I visited my folks.

Yesterday, I opened the media player and saw a few of the songs still in the recently played list. I clicked on one, but received an error message. I searched the drive, thinking they had been moved, but found nothing. I then scrolled the entire directory listing, but without luck. I realized my folder was gone, finally deleted.

True, it had to happen sooner or later, but I still couldn't believe it at first. I suppose I was hoping something of mine might be left behind, a small reminder I "lived" here once. Yeah, I know, I'm much too sentimental for my own good.