Dec 27 2008
Triggering a Memory
It is funny how the mind works. I received a picture of cars from a forum thread, instantly taking me back in time to my grandparents home, bringing memories of a young child flooding in as in a torrent. The cars had nothing to do with it, having the house in the picture solely to blame. Old memories exploded into view, like I was standing there, awaiting my cousins to arrive….
Memory, a fickle beast, serving only itself and its own needs. Memory is seldom a conscious entity, voicing its opinion at the command of its bearer, wheeling to flight like a falcon loosed for the hunt.
A smell, one leaf just the right color, rain splashing gently on your face, a cool breeze or a picture can cause a Technicolor flood, taking the bearer deep into the field of dreams of ages past.
Memory, it can be a fleeting thing, allowing only glimpses of things once occurred. Memory can also be concrete, bringing smells and thoughts, touch and sound, adding a virtual feast of information to be assimilated in an instant.
I stood on the sidewalk, smelled the air, a living breathing eight year old for an instant. Brought on by an e-mail of all things….
Thomas H. Forthe
