Clocks Ticking and Mama's Sunflowers Anonymous

Our Town, a classic play by Thornton Wilder, is about as simplistic as it gets: no props, no set, and a simple story of a boy and a girl in a quiet town. Although the story may seem unremarkable, I was profoundly affected by Emily’s words toward the end of the play: “Let's really look at one another! … It goes so fast. We don't have time to look at one another.”

I am the second of seven children. I have always been close with my family, particularly my siblings. We are known to play board games late into the night, dance around the kitchen together, and have pun competitions. We even have a communal notebook where we write any quotable phrases we’ve said, occasionally rereading it to much laughter and teasing.

Recently, I processed the fact that I’ll be moving out in less than a year. Although I can’t wait to go to college and thrive on my own, the thought of leaving my siblings and our inside jokes is bittersweet.

Because of the beautiful simplicity of Our Town, I was able to see myself in Emily. I won’t be living with my family forever; in fact, there may be a time when I rarely see any of them. But now, rather than focus everything on my future, I try to “look at” my family in the present moment. It will be hard to leave,...