Nostalgia is somewhat defined as a sentimental pining or deep affection rooted in the appearance of something associated with your past. Its mere presence stimulating a wellspring of good memories and even better vibes as reality takes a more jovial spin when your eyes connect with its countenance.
This entity that sparks a fire in your soul can easily be a person, place or thing. A former flame that warmed your being. The house you had one of your birthday parties at, easily recalling the various events that shaped one of the greatest celebrations of you. Even that beautifully wrapped present that sat in stillness beneath the magnificently adorned oak that illuminated the depths of your living room during the nights proceeding Christmas. Each event, no matter how small or large, had its inception, a story leading up, and finally, the climatic juncture in which it would live with you forever in your thoughts.
It’s almost intimate, that moment of accepted vulnerability as your very soul seems to be touched by an unknown presence. The warmth that washes over you the instant you can juxtapose the present image with that single point linked with your individual history. Its significance only being important to you, making it unique in and of itself.
As I surveyed the numerous downloadable content that existed in my App store, I felt an identical flush pulse within me. Fixating my sights on the application’s icon, no truer exemplification of nostalgia occurred than when I realized today was the day. Today meant it had arrived.
Pokémon GO was available for download!
Swifter than the wind, my fingers reached to add this gem to my collection of apps. It took moments before it was useable, as I impatiently watched the icon fill on my home screen. Agonizing was the process of waiting, knowing I was so close, yet so far away from becoming the one thing every kid wanted to be back in the day:
A Pokémon Master!
As if jolted by a bolt of lightning, I instantly entered a state of complete reminiscence. Removed from what was real and teleported to a realm of absolute remembrance, I recalled every critical moment in Pokémon that had taught me life lessons. Ash’s sacrifice that even melded the heart of a once impassive, destructive Mewtwo. Charmander as he sat on the rock, rain pouring heavily down upon him with only an oversized leaf to fend off the impending threats that intended to extinguish his tail. Pikachu shedding the realist tear as he looked upon his trainer, imprisoned; captured in a lifeless, statuesque pose. Meowth articulating in fewer words, the importance of understanding and accepting everyone, despite their background, their appearance or their beliefs.
Among others, I was engulfed in the lessons that—to some extent—helped shaped my personality for the better until I snapped back to reality. What I returned to was nothing shy of perfection. Pokémon GO was a go! Racing to open the app, I cheesed from ear-to-ear, watching as the red loading bar filled before sending me to a short prelude. Character creation came next and I was impressed with the ability to make someone my color (though the hair options need some work done). Then the most important part came; a particular moment that demarcated your future route and how you’d combat your enemies. This event was instrumental in every Pokémon game that preceeded, from handheld to console. Choosing your starter Pokémon. I had to go with my guy, Charmander.
I stepped away from the game following this moment, having to attend to something else with the anticipation of knowing I’d be on later. Upon returning, I sighed, wincing internally as I felt so helpless. The servers were experiencing problems due to the overwhelming volume of people downloading and using the application. It was excruciating, and somewhat disappointing, though I was solaced with knowing one truth:
I wasn’t the only person feeling nostalgic that day. The ocean of users was proof enough.
Because no one wanted to merely catch one. No.
You Gotta Catch ‘Em All!
