The Narration Of Memory

Let me start with the dictionary meaning of narration: "A story or account of events or experiences whether true or ficticious".

I heard the four words in the title on my favorite radio station.  I am sure there were more than four words, however these are the words that sort of burned into my brain.  When this happens I tuneout everything else and my brain goes on it's marathon run.

Now that I am 73 years old, I can tell you about an event that happened when I was 7 or 27 or 47 years old.  I can relate the events exactly as they happened.  Or can I?  Have I changed the story to make myself more of victim and less of the villain?  Have I added or deleted facts that make the story more interesting than it really was?  I may have changed details to make myself look better, or stronger.  And I may have done these things without conscious thought.

I remember talking with my sister when we were both in our 40s.  We were disscussing and remembering a traumatic event that had happened over 20 years ago when we both in our 20s.  I was shocked how differently we rememered the event.  The event was the same, yet our memories and our feelings around the event were so different.  Niether of us were lying, and I am sure that we would have sworn our version of that day and that event was the accurate one.  The mind and memory are strange things.  Possibly we change events or memories to make ourselves more comfortable with the event or perhaps even to keep ourselves sane.

I have been so sick the last week with some kind of virus that I am surprised that I even recall the title of this blog.  I did recall it however, therefore it must have been important to me.  It is good to be back and writing again.

Afternoon Thoughts, Monday,November 28th, 2011.............3:05p.m.