I've never really thought about losing everything, something about it almost sounds nice. Starting from scratch, a new beginning. But if I could only keep one thing it would be my black Young LA backpack. You may think I chose that because I could shove a bunch of stuff in it, and although that is a benefit it means much more than that. For the last 2 years of my life that backpack has been with me almost every single day. It doesn't just carry stuff. It carries memories both good and bad on my journey through what some could say was a very abnormal high school experience. I don’t think I could live without it.

  It serves a purpose, carrying my essentials wherever I go, but the memories it holds are far more valuable than anything that could ever fit in there. The  memories and experiences that have shaped my life. It has been with me on every adventure. Whether it's running past a “do not trespass” with my friends, or messing around downtown Madison with only streetlights and the neon lights in the window at The Sconnie Bar to guide us. The rips, and wear on the backpack tell a story, to the journey it has shared with me. I don't think I could live without it.

It goes with me everywhere, from Connecticut to Wauankee and now Delafield. Most of the time it's empty or filled with one lonely hoodie, but I always have it.  Every bus trip and car ride across the country. It's almost like it is a piece of me, it’s more than just a backpack. The memories it carries are far more valuable than anything that can fit inside, moments I will remember forever with the people I love in what some could say a very abnormal highschool experience. I have never thought about losing anything but that backpack is one thing I couldn't live without.