Perspectives

It's really quite amazing discovering the dusty corners of your memory. I've spent a bit of time with my aged mom (88) and my brother this last few days in the town where I grew up. I have come back annually now for some time and relive some of the things I've remembered each time. This time I used my digital recorder in several discussions with my mom. I did this so I could write it down for my daughter. I have learned things about her life I never knew. It has been in many ways, an epiphany. The two grave yards in town have come alive for me, as they harbor the earthly remains of people now more interesting, more colorful, more meaningful to me and I see my connection to all this in a newer light.

My mom was 6th in a family of 8. She is the last survivor. There is no one left but Bob in Iowa, who will be 100 in 2010 and Richard, here in town, who she will probably never see again for reasons too lengthy to explain here. Last one standing. All the others are a mile down the road in earthen containers arranged for us to find on Memorial day with markers announcing the most basic information of life's journey, etched in stone- Who you were, when you came here and when you left here.

My brother and I began to talk about our house where we grew up. The memory slots in my brain fired up, as did his. We fed off each other, filling in missing pieces. As each new piece came in several loooong forgotten ones emerged and it was a cornucopia of memory. Rather amazing. Long-term memory is the most indelible. The access to it is somewhat easy and the reward is almost overwhelming. The new detail brilliant and sharp as if it were yesterday.

I am writing this, internets, so that you can maybe find it for yourself someday when opportunity presents. Don't pass it up. And, if you've a mind, write it down.