This post was inspired by the novel J written by Howard Jacobson about a world where collective memory has vanished and the past is a dangerous country not to be talked about or visited. Join From Left to Write on November 20th as we discuss J. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.
It is wonderful to know that life is important and to take steps to remember it. Some memories are collective, they are shared by groups of people, perhaps even races of people. Other memories are private, solitary things. Both kinds of memories are important. Memories are important because they give us roots and when we save them we give our life limbs and branches and the tree of our life grows.
Memory is a precious thing. It is a treasure more valuable than gold, platinum or precious jewels. It is important to keep track of events that happen in our lives and to remember them. Almost everyone has heard the expression about those who forget history being doomed to repeat it. There may be some truth in that expression. More important is the fact that those who forget the past do not learn lessons, cannot teach lessons to others and life is lessened with a lack of memories.
If you doubt how important memories are, how precious they are, look at families where a person has Alzheimer’s disease. Spouses and children are devastated when a loved one no longer remembers them. When a husband forgets his wife’s birthday or wedding anniversary, sadness follows. When a mother forgets a child’s favorite snack at the supermarket, tears follow. These are real-life examples that are familiar or understood by most people and show the importance and value of memory.
In days long gone by, people created memory palaces. Memory palaces are places or a series of places in one’s mind where information is stored so it can be accessed and used it later. These are good tools for storing memories and that is why this technique has been used for centuries. However, memory palaces are solo, solitary places. If you want your memories to last and you want to share them with others and to pass them down to your children and your children’s children, you must get your memories into a tangible format that can be shared.
There are some things I hope I remember forever:
- the first time I saw my husband
- the joy I felt when was 19 and got glasses for the first time
- the way my husband smiled when I told him I would, in fact, do him the honor of becoming his wife
- the overwhelming euphoria when I found out I was pregnant the first time (then the second, third and fourth)
- celebrating “woman’s day” with my oldest daughter
- the relief I felt when my big twin recovered from injuries she suffered in a car accident
- the satisfaction I felt when my son told me he was proud of the work I do
Take time to remember and to treasure the idea or memory. Write down things you want to remember. It doesn’t matter if you use old-fashioned pen and paper or your smartphone. The medium does not matter. What matters is that you must start making an effort to save, protect and treasure memories of what is going on in your life.
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In conclusion, it is wonderful to know that life is important and to take steps to remember it. So, the question for you this wonderful day is what is that you don’t want to forget?
I love all of your ideas. I’ve gone through a similar process, which is more of a ritual that is handed down by my grandmothers for giving gratitude and recalling that which is empowering to you.
I think that’s what is so great about blogging. Most of your memories are online and the pics.
That’s a hard question. There are so many wonderful moments I never want to forget.
My grandmother suffered from Alzheimer’s. Watching the stages with her was heartbreaking. It came to a point where she did not know who we were, that she was married and pretty much reverted her memory to when she was in high-school.
Wow what a thoughtful and powerful post. I love my memories and hope I never lose the ones that are important to me. Great ideas.
That’s a good question. I don’t want to forget the love that has passed between my husband and I. I don’t want to forget the joy and love my kids have brought in my life.
Love this post – I always wanted to start a journal but didn’t think I had reason to or enough to write about. This post changed my perspective.
My grandmother is in her 90’s I have seen a hue difference in her mind, she is very forgetful and I have to repeat myself to her constantly. it is so sad.
My kids grandmother has Alzheimer and it’s such a shame when she doesn’t remember who they are. I really need to start journaling so I can have something to remember when I get older.
Alzheimer’s is a terrible thing to happen to anyone. Memories are precious and keeping a journal will help me keep the memories alive.
This is a great post. It is kind of said for me because my grandad suffered from Alzheimers.
Alzheimer’s is such a terrible disease, and so sad to lose all those precious memories that make a life so special.
I have never personally known someone to have Alzheimers disease, but I know it can be a cruel disease. I think we take our memories and days for granted a lot of times.
I love the idea of keeping a journal so that your memories are in your own words. That is such a good idea.
I’ve gone through a similar situation to this with a loved one. I’m glad there are so many ways to keep memories alive.
I need to write more things down and be better for my kids. We do some many things that really should be better documented.
It’s really important to document your life in picture and video. Even if you don’t come down with Alzheimer’s disease, you could still get a different form of dementia.
What a great post ! My Mother is “fighting” Dementia and I understand the importance of memories and the impact “missing” them can have.
I wish they could do more research on Alzheimer’s. It’s such a terrible thing. You would think they’d have studied it more by now.
This made me shed a tear. Once my grandfather got Alzheimers, we completely lost him as he once was and he forgot who we are. :'(
Alzheimer disease has to be one of the most cruel diseases ever. I have taken care of dementia patients and it is so tragic.
I should start keeping a journal! That way I will remember a lot more.