how I wish I could become a child again

I read a post weeks ago saying, "At some point in your childhood, you and your friends went outside to play together for the last time, and nobody knew it." It felt heavy after reading this and it made me missed my childhood friends even more. Not just my friends but also the moments where the world still seems small to me and where innocence is still what clothes me. We had no idea that the last 'goodbye' we bid each other with the thought that we'll meet again the next day would be the last of last.

Since my father was a soldier before, our family had to transfer residence too whenever my father was re-assigned to another battalion or place. That's why I have lots of childhood friends. But the group of friends I am missing most right now is those that I met within the soldiers' camp, kids that were also a son or daughter of a soldier like me.

In 31st Infantry Battalion's camp, Bolo Sur, Camarines Sur is where I first learned and enjoyed kiting. My father would build a kite for my brother and I, make it fly for us, and then give us the strings as he teaches us how to hold it properly. My friends and I would run and hide around the tanks and six-by-six trucks, ride bikes, and chase each other at the center of the camp where the whole field is our playground. We used to watch the training of private soldiers where they would crawl on the mud, get paddled, and soaked in a drum filled with cold water early in the morning. We also watch and admire our fathers hold their guns in the firing range and fire it. There was also a time when we joined a contest for children in the years 2008 or 2009. And my most favorite memory: waving hello and goodbye to helicopters landing in the camp. There was a small hill in front of our houses and we would run there together as we wave our little hands to the helicopters that as if it would hear us.

I wish I could back to this time. Everything was peaceful even though we were inside the camp. Every day was filled with so much fun and the word 'problem' was still wasn't part of our vocabulary.

Or I wish I could at least gain this kind of innocence again. I wish I was still young. I don't regret anything but I just miss everything. I miss my friends. I miss my childhood. I miss the smell of the grasses and the annoyance whenever some would get into our clothes after running and sitting on it. I miss the sweats and dirt which were evidence of playing. I miss the small hill we used to step on to. I miss the helicopters we wave our hands and scream at. I miss the smoke and sounds of the gun from the firing range. I miss playing around the tanks and trucks. I miss seeing soldiers in uniforms and how we kiddingly copy their salutes.

To my 31st IB's childhood friends,

We managed to get to each other again months ago and successfully made a group chat. But I hope there will come a time where we can all personally see each other again, all grown up and lived a life that none of us has any idea anymore.

To all of you, I miss you so much. And you will all stay in my heart. Always and forever.

Thanks be to God for my childhood days!!