Memories

When I was a little girl, I used to take great pride in the fact that I could remember the things everyone else had forgotten and it used to absolutely baffle me that no one else remembered or at least bothered to remember especially when it was something that I deemed very important at the time. Most importantly, I enjoyed reminding my older siblings of the naughty things that they were caught doing but had already forgotten and of course they denied all accusations.

Now, I understand that I was able to remember a lot of things in the past because I had a lot of free time in my hands and I put it to use by thinking up past events that should be buried. As I grew older, I got saddled with more responsibilities and holding on to things that really do not need to be held on to didn't seem so fun anymore (because in the past I would purposely decide not to forget things, no matter how insignificant. To what end? I have no idea.)

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Image is mine...

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As an adult though, the reverse seems to be the case. There are times I wonder if I should be forgetting things as swiftly as I should at my age because it truly baffles me and I worry if it's because I do not pay attention to every little detail like I used to do in the past.
For example, I would be making a meal and forget to add a particular ingredient that I had originally planned to add but I would immediately remember it as soon as the fire is off and the food is ready and the ingredient was on my mind and how it slipped off my mind, I shall never know.

All it took was another forgetful episode that really shook me enough to put effort back into paying attention to all the details that I could readily remember.

There was an event that I had to attend with my mother back then and it was an event that I was looking forward to attending for the whole experience, and the memories that would be created that day. Being shortsighted, it means that I always take my glasses with me everywhere I go if I desire to see everything clearly enough for the memories to stick.

That fateful day though, my Mom was in a hurry and she rushed me through getting ready. With her threatening to leave me behind if I dragged my feet slowly, I hurriedly packed my bag and grabbed my glass case on the way out because I always make sure to put my glasses back in the case after use.

I didn't feel the need to put it on so the glass case remained in my bag until we got to the venue which was already bustling with activities and I was simply happy to be there. I followed my mom closely as she searched for the best seats for us with an unrestricted view of the stage, though not in the front row seats as those were reserved for very important guests but we had a direct view of the stage and all its activities from our end nonetheless.

It wasn't until the event started in full swing and I decided it was time to put on my glasses that I noticed that the glass case was empty and my glasses were nowhere to be found. I couldn't believe my eyes as I thoroughly searched my bag thinking that it may have fallen out of its case by some strange occurrence and I couldn't remember such a thing happening.

Immediately, my Mom began to scold me thoroughly in front of everyone present because she thought I was careless with it, which I was not. If anything, I am always extra careful when it comes to my glasses as they're now a very important part of me.

I didn't find my glasses and it left me feeling sad and angry with myself. I scolded myself a lot for forgetting my glasses wherever I left it last and I the midst of all the racing thoughts, one single thought remained constant:

”Maybe I left it at home."

But even that thought was unable to comfort me. I had to experience the event through squinted eyes and it was really stressful and to cap it off, I developed a pounding headache. The day did not go as planned.

The event ended and we made our way home and as soon as I walked into the living room, the first thing I saw sitting on the center table was my glasses. Immediately I remembered bringing it out of its case to clean it but forgetting to put it back in its case. Needing to prevent a repeat of the day's incident, I vowed to always prepare ahead of time for every single thing I plan on doing.

Now, the only time things skip my mind swiftly is when I'm in a hurry, being rushed or really tired and stressed out which are scenarios I do my best to avoid.

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