Letting Go of Remembering

IMG_4011Did you ever notice how freaked-out middle-age people get when they can’t remember something? They act like it’s the beginning of the end, foreboding imminent and total demise, the first step into obliteration of life as we know it. It’s really not that bad, Folks.

A few weeks ago I went to a movie with a friend. I saw her again yesterday and we were trying to tell our other friend about the movie, but neither of us could remember the name. I remember having pizza with black olives and pineapple before going into the theater, but just couldn’t recall the title of the film. While I was trying to describe what it was about my friend kept saying that she was relieved that I couldn’t remember the name either. So what? I was totally present when I saw it and we discussed how we felt. Why is it important to carry forth the name? Why do we need to remember every bit of minutia after it is experienced?

Some things are not important enough to occupy brain cells. I’m saving mine for juicier tenants.

9 Responses to “Letting Go of Remembering”

  1. Laurie

    Ellie. Reading that made me smile. It’s so true. Miss you. Come visit. Hope all is well

    Reply
  2. Ari

    I know exactly what you mean. I’d like to live in a world where everyone wears name tags! So many freed up brain cells!

    Reply
  3. Barbara Hinz

    What did I just read? I forgot! LOL Great observation, one I have many times a day! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Mickey

    This brings a huge smile of recognition – and relief. Thanks for sharing your amazing attitude!

    Reply
  5. Mark LeGault

    Ellie who?? Lol. I read a Sherlock Holmes years ago and the character Dr Watson was amazed when there was something Sherlock knew nothing about. Sherlock said my dear Watson, the mind is like a blackboard upon which you can only write so much. So I choose what I write….. I think as we age Ellie our blackboards just get full. And that’s a good thing. Love you.

    Reply
  6. Anne Sweeney

    LOL! Perfect, Ellie! I have this discussion with Jon’s 88-year old mother every time I talk with her. She’ll be 89 next month and is convinced that she’s getting Alzheimer’s. I always remind her that I need just as much help remembering words as she does, maybe more. And I’m only 58. I can tell you the first letter of a word, but oftentimes you have to fill in the rest. I guess that’s a good way of knowing whether a person is listening to us or not, lol! You’re absolutely right…if something is really important to us, we’ll remember the details. Otherwise…NEXT! We’ve processed what we needed to keep & can now let it go. Thank you for your constant words of wisdom. Kisses & hugs to you!

    Reply
  7. Barbara

    So true. If only I can remember not to try to remember. Your post made me smile. Thanks.

    Reply
  8. Bonnie

    Ahhh, Ellie you put into words what we are all thinking.
    I hope all is well with you and yours?

    Reply

Leave a Reply

  • (will not be published)

XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>