In general, I have great memories. I don’t say that to brag. It’s just that, sometimes, I think about them and their fragility and I’m amazed. It’s not scary per se, but certainly baffling, to me that certain diseases, and even normal aging, can lock memories away with no chance to recover them.
I particularly start thinking about these things when I visit a place, hear a song, or smell something that opens some sort of flood gate of things I hadn’t thought about – sometimes in years, sometimes in only a few days – since some passed time. It’s strange to experience, but not unusual. In fact, while I’ve never specifically discussed it with anyone, I suspect it’s something that most, if not all, of us have in common.
Anyway, I had such an experience this weekend. The memories that filled my mind were actually mixed: some good, some bad. But, frankly, I don’t want to write about them here because there is only so much to say about one thing. But you better believe I wrote about the experience in my personal journal – I refer to my journal as arid ruminations (because I expect that no one but me would be interested – sort of like this post). I found it strange because I write many of the things I do so I can accurately revisit them later. This time, I was memorializing the act of remembering. See, weird experience.
No point really except to say that I think that there is nothing more wonderful in this life than revisiting shared, joyful experience. In fact, I once read an article, written by some happiness expert, that said, given the choice between a new car or an extravagant vacation, she would choose the vacation every time. Her logic, which I’ve found to be true, is that the car will simply depreciate over time and the owner will grow tired of it. By contrast, the memory of a trip generally gets fonder with time – people usually quickly forget bad parts like lost luggage. That was just an example she cited…
So, to memory: Salute!
8 responses so far ↓
leann // April 1, 2008 at 11:21 am
Salut, indeed! I would pick vacation over a new car any day as well. I love good memories and you’re not the only one. I used to have a stellar memory and could remember the most random of things at the most random of times. But I find with age that my rememberer is tiring out. That makes me sad…
Jennie // April 1, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I recently wrote about some memories for my Dad’s scrapbook, and he said there were several he didn’t remember at all. It surprised me, but I guess certain things stand out to people for certain reasons.
catch // April 1, 2008 at 12:56 pm
i disagree with the happiness expert. though, yes, a vacation is almost immediately appealing and one will have those fond memories for a little while longer, the same can be said for a car, especially years after you get rid of it. in fact, i have some pretty good memories of taft and my old car. the car was crap. was when i got it. but nothing says “good memory” like hearing the red hot chili peppers, “suck my kiss” blaring into the dorm from the parking lot 3 stories down. i think that he borrowed it to go to the admissions office? literally 300 to 400 yards away. the same guy that used to run 4 miles a day. the scariest part about it was i could hear him singing the song over anthony…a 180 watt boosted anthony.
rebeekah // April 1, 2008 at 9:31 pm
i love this post. memories are so strange and wonderful all at once. (unfortunately, my memory is not what it once was.)
on a completely different note, i just noticed you have a link on your blog to arcade fire. i’ve recently been introduced to them & am basically in love. “wake up” is enough to last me my whole life, i think.
Susan // April 1, 2008 at 10:02 pm
I love memories and they most always go back to some place I’ve been. I remember the silliest stuff at the most awkward times but they are even better when I can laugh out loud about them and people think I’ve lost my mind. Good moments like that are irreplaceable.
crystal // April 2, 2008 at 6:20 pm
memories…the way we were
love ‘em
Leann // April 3, 2008 at 7:45 pm
J, I do have to comment that there’s nothing like the memory of an OLD car…
Troy // April 7, 2008 at 9:00 pm
“Happiness expert” always makes me think of that Molly Shannon character, Helen Madden, the licensed joyologist.
You might be surprised who is interested in what you write down.
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