The Memory Corner

My memory is impressionistic, at best.  And by impressionistic, I mean that the details of any given event or conversation are fuzzy, but the overall feeling is clear— whether rosy or gray.  

In my case, the gray tends to stick around longer in my head than the rosy, an unfortunate quirk of personality that I would give just about anything to return to sender.  (Although, the really good stuff hangs in there, too… I can conjure up eel fishing in Sweden in an eighth of a second flat, and that was twenty years ago.  Sigh.)

Since I started thinking about having kids, memories in general have become more important.  (I’m sure my mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis has something to do with it as well.  Duh.)  About a year ago I decided that when I had kids I would start a Memory Book—a place to keep all the little mementos of life that accumulate that you never know what to do with (tickets from Disneyland, I imagined, or a particularly fascinating leaf from the park.) 

And then I realized, “What am I waiting for?”

So I started a tradition.  All on my own, no kid necessary.  On January 1^st, I went shopping for my 2009 Memory Book.  I gave it its own special place on a desk in the corner of my living room.  The desk drawer holds only Memory Book supplies—glue sticks, markers, scissors.  And when I come home from a concert, or dinner with friends, a movie or museum, or just have a really great dinner at home with family, I put it in the book. 

Although I can’t remember (cuz of the impressionist thing) I’m pretty sure my Memory Book was inspired by something I read on The Happiness Project, and I’m pleased to report it has indeed made me happier.  I love looking back through the book, remembering the amazing “Kobe French toast” my dad made when he and my nephew came to town for Father’s Day...

... and the day I went to the hospital to welcome my friends’ new baby into the world...

... and… well… okay, I’ll include it… the American Idol Finale.  (I went.  I loved it.  Ohmygod I loved it.  In case you can't tell from the way I went crazy with the yellow marker.)

And each time I look through my book I’m reminded:  this year has indeed been far more rosy than gray. 

Comments

[22]

Yo S,

You gotta bust out the inkjet printer and the camera for this one...PICTURES...PICTURES...PICTURES..."A Thousand Words...." Hook that up and cut down on the prose time...(You can always fill in the text later...)

Big Smiles - 22

P.S. What side of the brain do you write with? Better yet...can you take pictures with that same side...

[Kate]

Nice... I like that idea. While I don't have kids, (only nieces and nephews), I could see myself starting one as well.

My memory, though, isn't "impressionistic". (BTW: Is that a real thing? Because, if not, I think you just coined an hilarious new term. If it is, well... just goes to show how much I know! :) Anyhow, I tend to remember a lot of things. Particularly things people say. And I do so going way back, which is both a blessing and a curse, as there are some things I'd rather forget. But one thing with your memory that I can understand is 'the gray staying around longer than the rosy', a trait which I would also like to "return to sender". :)

[Sarah Fain]

Kate, there was also a great memory book-type idea on The Happiness Project yesterday-- definitely worth checking out!

And 22-- Pictures would be a great addition to the Memory Book, but for me ease-of-use is key-- so I've decided that my computer organizes my pictures beautifully, which is going to have to be good enough for me!

[Kate]

@Sarah Fain: Thanks for the heads-up. I'll check it out.

[Eve]

I do a journal whenever I travel, on vacation, not business. Restaurants, phone numbers, notes. This time around I was with friends and we kept getting postcards of the different places and writing notes to keep on the journal.. I might make copies of the postcards for them for xmas... but I love the idea of a happiness project for the year.