The “Re” of Old Writing

I’ve spent my life writing. From the time I could hold a pencil, I was telling stories. Journal entries. Running logs. Travel diaries. Love letters. 

Because of this, I have highly detailed documentation of nearly every point in my life. Recently, I’ve been making an effort to dig into these writings—to revisit specific events and experiences; to read teenaged perspectives with 30-year-old eyes. 

The prefix “re” appears in hundreds of English words and means “back” or “again.” To return means to turn back. To reconsider means to consider again. 

Revisit is to visit again. To consider a situation or problem from a different perspective. 

Reimagine is to imagine again. To reinterpret an event, a work of art, a piece of music, etc.

Relive is to live again. To live through an experience or feeling again in one’s imagination or memory.

Revisiting and reimagining does not necessitate reliving. 

To reconcile is to coexist in harmony.

To be at peace with what was and what is… to find peace in what will be.