Sunday, January 30, 2011

Memory

I have been musing a lot lately on an article I recently read on Loss. Unfortunately I can't remember where I read it, other than on the internet. Which brings me to a bothersome Loss: Memory.

My memory just isn't what it used to be, and becoming more and more so all the time. In college I could memorize vast amounts of information. My freshman year I took a history course from a professor who would spend the entire classroom time talking about what must have been his passion: Western Civilization. And I took copious notes, filling 1 1/2 composition books of notes each semester.

He had a reputation of giving very difficult tests. I was not daunted because I intended to memorize my composition books of notes . . . and that is exactly what I did. I was invincible when it came time to take his final exam. I flew through the exam, knowing every answer. I'm sure the professor thought I must have bombed the test since I handed mine in so quickly. How I enjoyed the look on his face as he graded it and discovered I had aced it.

Now why did I tell that story? Oh yes, to mourn the fact that my memory is not what it used to be. But that story describes a different kind of memory skill; I have trouble remembering what I did yesterday quite often. I don't remember movies; can't remember titles and authors of books I've just read that I really enjoyed. I could go on but you get the point.

Sometimes I exercise my recall skills by trying to think back over each day in a week and remember what I did each day, what I cooked for dinner, what I wore and other things. Occasionally I can do it. Sometimes it's a total blank. I make excuses for myself: I'm stressed; I've got too much on my mind; I'm tired. And I think those are all probably valid reasons for my memory impairment.

Not being able to recall like I used to do is a Loss for me. Which is why I make notes and lists, keep a journal, take vitamins, and play memory games with myself. On the up side, my movie collection stays very fresh.

1 comment:

Summer said...

Hi Mommy!! I like your blog :) That's really neat about how you aced history tests. I think you've told me that before, but I had forgotten. I'm so sorry about your memory. Do you take consolation in knowing no one thinks you look old enough to have a poor memory?