Why do we remember certain things while other moments are simply that, moments in time?
We spoke about sugaring, homemade donuts, bread pudding, sugar on snow and I pulled from my memory rolodex distinct moments of sitting at the counter at my grandma's farm house having homemade donuts and sugar on snow among my cousins. I distinctly remember passing around the boxes of Graham Crackers and Honey Combs as we all ate breakfast together. I distinctly remember the blankets on the bed in the farm house, I distinctly remember all the books that were always around. I distinctly remember the bathroom and how I found the tub unique for some reason. Why are these the things or moments that are boldly placed in my memory bank? Will they always be here or will they vanish? Is it hard to recap memories as they continue to step further away year after year?
I always use to say that I never want to be old, but as I sat at the table, I realized that I would rather struggle to recap my memories and still be able to pinpoint the feeling of happiness, than never have the time to make such special moments memories.
I watched this women use her hands to show me the location of the stove, the counter, the piano and as I watched her and looked into her eyes as she revisited a home that she once loved and spent so much time in, I saw that same look. The same look I saw upon my Grandma's face so many times when she was trying to explain to me those special moments that turned into lifelong memories. The football game, the colors of their jersey's, why do these things stick? Who ever knew that a smell and color would make such a significant impact on our always absorbing minds.
I blog and journal a lot because sometimes I feel as if I can't keep track of one day to another, but after being an avid writer, I find it interesting and motivating to see where I was 5 or 6 years ago on paper. The feelings, the thoughts, the emotions, the moments that at that time were crucial and life altering. I know once I get older that the dates or chronological order won't be as significant, but it will always be a nice thing to look back upon.
My 15 year old memories compared to her 50+ year old memories, weren't all that different; remembering the position of a certain kitchen appliance, remembering the thin material of the comforter on the top bunk, remembering my uncles collecting the snow and packing it into buckets to carry back to us, snowmobiling one random afternoon with my uncle, these little moments that for some reason become indispensable and are shared for the rest of life.
Don't try so hard to make memories, they will form on their own.
