Thursday thoughts

Take care of your memories, for you can not relive them.

Bob Dylan

I reviewed 2022 as I wrote our Christmas letter and thought about the year that is passing and the memories I will carry forward from it.

I remember an incident 34 years ago where I was rude to someone. They had budged in front, but even so. Weirdly enough, I remember that. 34 days ago, I (quickly gets up to check the calendar) worked and did my weight lifting routine. What else do I remember from that particular day? Well it was a Friday so likely the surgeon bought me lunch and we had a good day. Chances are high I did a couple of errands on the way home but still had time for a walk enjoying the cold and a beautiful sunset. Other details appear to be MIA. 18 years ago at our son’s high school graduation I remember the rain and the altered location for photos but not him walking across the stage. 18 minutes ago I was working on this blog post but it is highly unlikely I will recall what prompted these words to flow from my brain as time moves on.

And that’s the thing. Besides the science of short and long term memory how is it that certain things stick and others slide away? Will Young A’s superb memory continue and will the bike rides, zoo outings, camping and farm trips remain intact as she ages or just suggestions and feelings associated with it? Will Little Man C remember that this was his first year alone at outdoor camp and what a wonderful week we had? Will I remember a specific sunrise, sunset or a moment of pure natural beauty like the hoar frost on the grasses or the sweet smell of buffalo beans? The calendar can fill it the basic details but not those sorts of visceral ones. Will I lose the stellar mountain road trip with cool blue waters and beautiful lake front vistas but remember the warmth and fellowship of my cousins? The annual camping trip with the Littles could become a blur of memories, thoughts and feelings as the years of them increase and blend together.

This is not the first time I have pondered memory. I wrote about it here at Collective Memories and a A pixel of time.

I’ve no more answers then than now. I mean I know there would be some scientific specifics but there is a lot of memory that isn’t covered in neurological papers. The feelings that those memories can evoke all from a sound or smell or even a touch.

I’m thinking on a Thursday about the memories I cherish. I bet each reader has many special memories that are deeply embedded, just like I do. Good thing because “Bob” so wisely said we can’t relive them.

Bernie