Gift of Memories

Memories forgotten, but with a little nudge, can be retrieved.

Really, when we go into the wild blue yonder, it is all we might be able to take with us, memories. The experiences of a lifetime, through our memories, are the most precious commodity we have.

Without memories we just exist without developed personalities, therefore our memories contribute to our personalities and make us who we are today.

Bad memories, good memories, just-so memories, they are all in the noggin’.

I like to be a good memory person, so I slam the door on bad memories to shut them out. If I am once burned, twice shy, it’s because of a bad memory. Every day I work on creating good memories, BUT, not just for myself but for others as well. The wonderful thing about memories is that they can be shared through experiences together, or apart. It is so much more though when memories are shared.

Memorials were invented so that memories can be shared of a person’s life, little clip-pits, and instances actually of times gone by with the individual, of possibly some shared memory, funny or otherwise.

There are older people who are lonely and alone with themselves, who can only give away memories, which truly can be the greatest gift. Trouble is no one is usually there to receive this memory gift, for a caretaker has no time for trivial talk, most children are preoccupied, and most adults have priorities. Imagine being one of these “alone” people in your last days, having so much to share, but no willing recipient. Sadly, an older person will sit in a chair quite often, looking out a window, musing, feeling walled in, imprisoned in a body that no longer functions, but the brain is vibrant, still youthful, with memories in technicolor, wanting to shout for joy.

It’s like being in a forest, if I scream, will anyone listen?

In the past, older people were, and some who are still living who reside in villages, are revered for their memories, through the gift of storytelling. We don’t story-tell much anymore to our children, instead, we give them tablets. Bring children and older people together and I bet the story-telling will begin anew and the gift of memories, smiles, will last longer than you think in that person’s lifetime, then money or other gifts.

A loss of memory though is equally tragic. Imagine losing your life experiences, not being able to remember your first kiss, the feel of sand between your toes as you walked the beach, a caress of affection that meant so much to you. With memory loss, smiles disappear; the light dims in your eyes, your body actions have no purpose.

Depression buries good memories and brings the crap memories back to the top like sewage sludge and continues in a never-ending loop. For some to try to wash depression away, it is an impossible task alone.

Memories silenced are memories lost, while writing them down, are memories gained.

I like a selective memory best; those are memories you choose to remember or not. Very convenient when in an argument and you say: “I don’t remember.” Or I don’t recall.

The wife says I conveniently forget about stuff, which actually isn’t true. I think people prioritize the importance of stored memories, so if you have a motherly personality, you would tend to recall more vivid memories that are dearer to your heart like family outings, as opposed to me who’s fondest memories could be of Pokemon Avatar hunting.

A memory can be a gift to someone, as in “Do you remember when…” I like this one because before you get all the words out a smile appears on the person's face in anticipation. However, the memory before the sentence is complete could do the opposite and then you say; “Why did you bring that up…” and that smile ends up with a snarl or a grimace at the finish of the recipient.

Lastly, we all have false memories, which could have been implanted purposely (Government), or it could be that we thought that what we witnessed was in a certain way, but the reality was different than what we remembered.