Meadow in Oława

Visiting my hometown always brings back many memories. Familiar places, familiar faces – though time passes relentlessly, certain images remain unchanged in our memory. Walking the streets you once walked every day, it's easy to drift back to the years of youth, carefree days, and adventures that shaped our personalities.

One of my favorite ways to spend my free time was going on long walks along the Oder River. When I had a dog, walks were a necessity but also a great pleasure. My four-legged companion added charm to those wanderings – he ran ahead, followed scents, and stopped at every interesting spot. After he passed away I still returned to the river, because those paths had become part of my life. The sound of the water, birdsong, and the smell of damp earth stirred peace and nostalgia in me.

Trips with friends are another chapter of memories that always comes back when I visit my hometown. More than once we packed our backpacks and set off into the unknown – with no plan, no rush, excitement in our hearts. Nights in tents by the river had their own unique atmosphere – the smell of burning wood, the gentle rush of water, and conversations that lasted until dawn. Bonfires where we roasted sausages, laughed, and made plans for the future were symbols of youth and freedom.

Today, when I return to the same places, I feel that much has changed. Some friends have moved away, some paths have grown over with grass, and the rhythm of life has become different. Yet one thing remains unchanged – the memories that still live in me and make returning to my hometown more than just a visit. It's a kind of journey into the past, a reminder of who I was and how much those moments shaped me as a person.

Another birthday, another number.