The Balloon

Openly chasing your dreams is encouraged. So long it doesn't interfere with real life.

Even in my earliest memories, I had a balloon in my hand. Everyone did at some point in their lives. Some held it for years. Some for months, and some never really let go.

No one knows exactly when the balloon appear, only that children are born without it, and obtain it at some point.

Dad used to have one too when I was younger. It was big and purple and floated around the house with a long tendril like wire, never actually leaving dad's hand. One day it was gone. I didn't even notice it at first. I woke up one day, when I was about eleven years old, and Dad was sitting on the couch.

''…Hey… Dad.''

He turned to me, a sad glitter in his eyes. Almost as if he knew what I wanted to say.

''..It's fine sweetie. Everything is fine.''

Mom lost her Balloon before I was born. Mom was very young when she and dad got married, and while they'll never say it straight to my face I know she lost her Balloon when she became pregnant.

The thing about Balloons, when you are a child it is considered fine to have one. No one cares how big it is, or how closely you hold it to your heart. The older you get, the less common it becomes.

People still holding on through their twenties are often considered childish and detached from reality. But I don't intend to ever let go of my Balloon. I can't exactly remember when I got it, but it's gorgeous. A bright red, I keep looking it for hours every night, and it makes me feel funny inside, in a good sort of a way. Excited.

Sometimes when no one is looking, during recess or a long lecture at school, I'd sneak a peek in my shiny red balloon and sink into daydreams.

No one quite knows what brings Balloons over, or what makes them go away. When I ask Mom about it she always reacts with a shrug. ''..Just hold onto it as long as you can sweetie. And don't feel bad when it is gone.'' She'd then ruffle my blond locks and change the subject.

Don't get it wrong"Balloons don't just disappear. It doesn't happen so soon for most. Dad's Balloon got smaller and smaller with each passing day, until it was finally gone. I'll never forget that one time when we finally sat down and talked about it.

It was my last day at home before heading off to college. A lot of my friends already lost their balloons at that point, but I didn't care. Some people even stared at me weirdly when I walked around with it.

Dad called me to his room, he said he wanted to talk to me.

As soon as I got in, I noticed that his eyes were glued to the red bubble of oxygen whose wire was coiled around my wrist. ''..You still have that. Don't you sweetheart..?'' I was somewhat baffled. He acted as if he didn't even notice it.

He held my shoulders fairly tight, his fingers dug into my flesh. I knew he didn't mean to hurt me, but the intensity in his voice wasn't lost on me. His entire body fumed with anger and frustration. But none of that was directed at me.

''..People might tell you… That you need to let  go, that you're too old for this. They might tell you that you need to face reality. Whatever you do, don't let go. Don't release it.''

He was crying. I wrapped my arms around him and embraced him tightly as his sobbing ebbed on. I assured him with a bright smile that I'm not going to give up on it. No matter what happens.

I still have my Balloon with me to this day. It's gotten bigger and bigger, and even though I don't look at it as much lately with college, 

work and the relationship taking a lot of my time,I always know it's there.

When people scoff at me, or judge me for still having it, I just smile back at them. 

Sometimes when people can't do something, they will tell you can't either. But I don't mind that one bit. Not as long as I have my Balloon

Author's Note

Trying something different.
Being subtle.
I hope you guys like it.
While I do have my meaning for these 'Balloons', I encourage others to find their own.

Reviews

[Inject Positivity]

I think the culture of our society teaches us that "balloon" is a thing for the children and the ones who hold them even after their childhood age, they are simply not over their fake dreams... But is that true? I don't believe that, to live in this world one must keep something for him/her closely otherwise the meaning of life becomes less meaningful... My interpretation of your balloon is that it is a lifelong frnd, it is a thing which is very close to our heart, which is always there with us from the day we have learned to have vision about life in our own ways...

Most people don't have the parents like you have, and I am glad to see that there are people who encourage their child to live the life he dreams of... I can only pray that you don't lose the Balloon... Well done...

A stunning, encouraging and very relatable write...

Sincerely
Dhiman

[LastMonth]

Thank you very much. I'm quite grateful for your review, I'll be sure to check out some of your writings later on. And I'm glad you have your own interpretation. That was my initial intention.

[Sarah]

I am very confused are you talking about an Imaginary friend? If that's the case I did have one too until I was 10 years old.

[Usman Muhammad]

I like such stories in which the reader is supposed to interpret the meaning of the story on his own. Writer gives every clue to the reader and let them relate it to their lives.
Well done, it is a wonderful write with a beautiful ending.
Your story is like a mirror which reflects our childhood dreams and how much we wanted them.
My interpretation of this balloon is our INNER-SELF which we hide from others in order to avoid any unfavorable circumstance because we think others would think of us as "very childish". Many of us try their best to protect this balloon because it protects them when we are hurt....to keep it away from others.
I don't know if my interpretation is okay or not but the story is incredible and amazing to read.

[LastMonth]

Of course the interpretation is okay. It's great. I like it. I'm glad you enjoyed my story, though I really think everyone in one way or another experience it. As children we have alot of flaws, we are sometime rude, sometimes hasty and often times cruel to things we don't understand.

But there is one thing that we have as kids that I wish we could keep with ease. Our honesty. Children are the harshest crowd because they don't sugarcoat things. They say what they think and they do what they mean to do. Perhaps that is what we need to succeed.

Thank you for the review, I appreciate it.

[Samuel Dickens]

I find this creative and meaningful. The balloon as metaphor for "eyes of youth" is unique and works well. I, for one, hope to never lose those few remaining bits of the young me. Very good work.

[LastMonth]

I hope for that too.
I'm glad you enjoyed it, and it's always refreshing and new to hear of people who have not completly let go of their balloons. Thank you for stopping by.

[Nia Lisa]

I cried a little in the ending, it is quite a reflective piece you wrote. I have associated the balloon mean 'dream', but I love how you are encouraging others to find their own meaning.

[LastMonth]

Thank you kindly for the review.
I'm humbled that you found it emotionally touching.

[Cora Jenness-Symes]

I love it a lot
it makes me want to do things like that

[LastMonth]

Thank you. :)

[Cora Jenness-Symes]

you should read mine

[West Lake Angel]

Oh my goodness, I love this story. I started smiling as soon as I read it because it hit home! I'm keeping my balloon forever and nobody can take it away from me. Thank you so much for sharing this story!

[LastMonth]

That's good to hear!
It's one of my favorites too.

[Jesus & Gypsy Soul]

This a simple & sweet analogy. How life can pass us up quickly. To hold onto our innocence; guard it with everything we got. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[LastMonth]

Thanks a bunch for the review. I appreciate it.

[An owl on the moon]

This is so moving, with such a rich flow of thought and emotional stirrings. It reminded me in a beautiful way of a French film I saw as a child, Le Ballon rouge (The Red Balloon), about a young boy in Paris with a balloon that follows him and befriends him, though others try and take it from him. Whether the balloon here might refer to our childhood, the imagination of youth, the playful side of a world in the midst of growing up, or something else, you strike a deep chord with your revelations.

[LastMonth]

Thank you kindly for the review.
I've never heard of that story but it does sound sweet.
read moreThank you kindly for the review.
I've never heard of that story but it does sound sweet.
I stand by my initial statement-- I love how each person find their own meaning for the Balloon. Once more, thank you.

[An owl on the moon]

You might just watch a few moments... there is very little dialogue, but you'll feel the emotion of it.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSzDsvJE1mg

[Centipedle]

I love, LOVE this concept. At first I was confused but then I finally got a hold of it. Balloons.... I see it as dreams. The dreams and ambitions of your future, the hope that you have and who you are. Many give up on their hopes and dreams because of one thing or another. Because well, a lot of people say dreams are childish just as these Balloons are! I fell in love with it's simplicity and it's concept.

Pen ON!

[LastMonth]

Thanks a bunch Centipedle, I appreciate this.