Ode To Our Lost Memories
I am in the last few hours of preparation of my thoughts to honor a dear friend who has passed away. My part is small in the memorial service today – but my involvement has stirred a huge swell of memories that have left me smiling at times and then crying at other times. I suppose it is part of the grieving process. Most of all it is the tragedy of death that has stirred up memories. My friend’s life intermingled with my life at a juncture when we both needed each other has been brought to the forefront of my thinking.
It is timely that I found the article in the National Geographic Magazine this week as well. It is entitled “Remember This – In the archives of the brain – our lives linger or disappear”. I recommend that you take time to read it. The URL is at the end of this posting.
Let’s test you memory. Facebook is stretching mine (and yours). When one of your friends asks in that intro email – “Do you remember me?” the memories kicked in again.
Try this… When you read these words – what happens? Read each word then wait about five seconds…
Now add the words Mom and Dad – wait for a bit after you think of each of these words. If your parents are gone now… there will be a flood of memories now rushing to get attention. Some are good and some are not so good is my guess.
That has happened with me in Facebook as people have asked certain questions. Each question or suggestion about a time and place has made the rush of memories flood back. Then I dwell on the memory over and over again. The time that Facebook has gobbled up has been the stirring of my memories that have flooded back.
If I never am reminded of the memories – I never take the time to think of these things. I use that time in another way. However the stirred memory will not allow me to move on to the next task. Some of these memories cripple us for a while. Today at the memorial service for my friend I will have this happen again – all of us will.
For you that knew “Dale Cummins” – my friend that passed away last week – his very name will stir your memory. For you that do not know him you will read on without pausing and thinking about him.
Our cemeteries are filled with grave stones to help us remember our dead loved ones. Standing at the graveside will produce floods of memories of ones that have gone before.
Facebook has disturbed me in other ways as well. Younger people have asked me if I remember when I met them. They have asked if I can remember what we did together. Sometimes I can’t remember. They kindly type out how I touched their lives when I was their youth leader and friend – 40 years ago. Seeing me on Facebook has delighted them with many memories of our interaction. I smile as I read what they have said and slowly savour what they wrote….but sometimes I can’t remember.
I think some one should erect a memorial to all those lost memories. It can serve as a place where a person can go to touch the monument and all memories that you have lost will flood back.
God has created an amazing thing within me. It is called my brain – but it is far more than just a soft organ – it is my complete storage unit carefully mounted in a protected place. I need to protect it better.
I encourage you to read this amazing article about our memory in the National Geographic Magazine. It is available to buy or read online. The address is for that article is below.
Now go make some great memories today. Stir some memories up with some one else. And finally take some time find the ones that you have lost.
~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
Article “Remember This – In the archives of the brain – our lives linger or disappear”
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2007-11/memory/foer-text.html
Mapping Memories
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2007-11/memory/brain-interactive.html
It is timely that I found the article in the National Geographic Magazine this week as well. It is entitled “Remember This – In the archives of the brain – our lives linger or disappear”. I recommend that you take time to read it. The URL is at the end of this posting.
Let’s test you memory. Facebook is stretching mine (and yours). When one of your friends asks in that intro email – “Do you remember me?” the memories kicked in again.
Try this… When you read these words – what happens? Read each word then wait about five seconds…
- Rose…
- Snow…
- Rock…
- Dry Grass under your foot…
- A cool stream…
- Milk pouring into a glass…
Now add the words Mom and Dad – wait for a bit after you think of each of these words. If your parents are gone now… there will be a flood of memories now rushing to get attention. Some are good and some are not so good is my guess.
That has happened with me in Facebook as people have asked certain questions. Each question or suggestion about a time and place has made the rush of memories flood back. Then I dwell on the memory over and over again. The time that Facebook has gobbled up has been the stirring of my memories that have flooded back.
If I never am reminded of the memories – I never take the time to think of these things. I use that time in another way. However the stirred memory will not allow me to move on to the next task. Some of these memories cripple us for a while. Today at the memorial service for my friend I will have this happen again – all of us will.
For you that knew “Dale Cummins” – my friend that passed away last week – his very name will stir your memory. For you that do not know him you will read on without pausing and thinking about him.
Our cemeteries are filled with grave stones to help us remember our dead loved ones. Standing at the graveside will produce floods of memories of ones that have gone before.
Facebook has disturbed me in other ways as well. Younger people have asked me if I remember when I met them. They have asked if I can remember what we did together. Sometimes I can’t remember. They kindly type out how I touched their lives when I was their youth leader and friend – 40 years ago. Seeing me on Facebook has delighted them with many memories of our interaction. I smile as I read what they have said and slowly savour what they wrote….but sometimes I can’t remember.
I think some one should erect a memorial to all those lost memories. It can serve as a place where a person can go to touch the monument and all memories that you have lost will flood back.
God has created an amazing thing within me. It is called my brain – but it is far more than just a soft organ – it is my complete storage unit carefully mounted in a protected place. I need to protect it better.
I encourage you to read this amazing article about our memory in the National Geographic Magazine. It is available to buy or read online. The address is for that article is below.
Now go make some great memories today. Stir some memories up with some one else. And finally take some time find the ones that you have lost.
~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
Article “Remember This – In the archives of the brain – our lives linger or disappear”
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2007-11/memory/foer-text.html
Mapping Memories
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2007-11/memory/brain-interactive.html
posted by Murray Lincoln at
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
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