Involuntary selective memory
It seems that I have a really hard time remembering much lately. I need lists to be sure I get all the stuff we need from the grocery store, or rest assured all I'll get is milk and ketchup. Any time I use our cash card, I need to call Marty to confirm our PIN number. I have no idea how to get from most places to another unless I take a route past somewhere I've once lived.
My mom has a theory that this is what happens when your brain is full. She recommends trying to get rid of some no longer needed bits of information to make room for whatever you now need to know. Now that it's September, I'm reminded of one set of information that I could probably lose to make room for things like the voicemail number or the password for our security system. The information? The September birthdays of my childhood friends.
I don't know why I remember the birthdates of my friends from growing up. Without my Outlook calendar, there's no way I'd remember the birthday or anniversary of other friends or family members. But as soon as I realize that it's September 3rd, my first thought is that it's Missy Ellens (now Buckles) birthday. Same with September 6 (Jenni Weber), September 7 (Greg Drontle), September 18 (Luke Froehle), September 21 (Kim Kremer), September 24 (Mike Lindquist), September 26 (Dan McMahon). Of all the people on this list, there are only two with whom I'm still in contact, so it's not like I'm getting together with these people to celebrate their special day each year.
So, until this pocket if information moves out of my brain, I guess Marty will have to be in charge of remembering all of the important stuff in our current life. As far as I can tell, this is the only practical part of having limited memories of his childhood. His brain isn't cluttered with a September birthday bulletin board as real as if it were hanging on our bedroom wall.
To all my friends with September birthdays - enjoy your special day. I'll toast you with my morning coffee and wait patiently at my desk for your birthday treats.
Viva la birthday (20 days to go).
My mom has a theory that this is what happens when your brain is full. She recommends trying to get rid of some no longer needed bits of information to make room for whatever you now need to know. Now that it's September, I'm reminded of one set of information that I could probably lose to make room for things like the voicemail number or the password for our security system. The information? The September birthdays of my childhood friends.
I don't know why I remember the birthdates of my friends from growing up. Without my Outlook calendar, there's no way I'd remember the birthday or anniversary of other friends or family members. But as soon as I realize that it's September 3rd, my first thought is that it's Missy Ellens (now Buckles) birthday. Same with September 6 (Jenni Weber), September 7 (Greg Drontle), September 18 (Luke Froehle), September 21 (Kim Kremer), September 24 (Mike Lindquist), September 26 (Dan McMahon). Of all the people on this list, there are only two with whom I'm still in contact, so it's not like I'm getting together with these people to celebrate their special day each year.
So, until this pocket if information moves out of my brain, I guess Marty will have to be in charge of remembering all of the important stuff in our current life. As far as I can tell, this is the only practical part of having limited memories of his childhood. His brain isn't cluttered with a September birthday bulletin board as real as if it were hanging on our bedroom wall.
To all my friends with September birthdays - enjoy your special day. I'll toast you with my morning coffee and wait patiently at my desk for your birthday treats.
Viva la birthday (20 days to go).
Hey, the baby girl's birthday is the 25th. September seems like a nice time of year for a birthday.
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It's like we're twins, except separated by 32 years.
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I always said that my kids sucked my brain out when they breastfed, and unfortunately, the little they left me with was not enough. My doctor said I needed sleep and a "back-up" plan.
Either way, I really miss my mind most days, too, Jennie. I'd love to tell you that it gets better when the kids, and you, get older. Man, would I love to tell you that.
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