Notstalgia

I am a very nostalgic person. I love to look at pictures, read my old journals, think about things that have happened in the past, keep little items that remind me of experiences, etc. Last night, I began thinking about my time at BYU. I realized that I have contact with almost all of my old roommates. I was so excited to discover that! These girls and I shared many laughs, tears, and poignant moments. I was also thinking about how they are part of almost every memory I have at college. I'm grateful for them--great girls and good examples. We sure had fun, huh?!
While I was looking through photo albums, I had to laugh as I saw so many people that I had not thought of in years! I only made it through part of my freshman year photos, but there was certainly a flood of memories.
My problem with nostalgia is that there's nothing to do with it. It's not like hunger (you feel it and eat something). There's no way to pacify the longing that you have for the fun times you're remembering. They are simply in the past. It's not that I would go back to being a college freshman and leave everything that I have because I certainly wouldn't. It's just that those were incredible times that I can never completely re-live.
I guess the key is remembering that right now I'm having incredible experiences that I won't have again, either and enjoying those to the fullest. Somehow, that still feels a little bit empty or like a cliche answer. I don't know.