Last night, the author of the book I had picked up mentioned that he learned the books of the Bible at an early age. That triggered a memory. I don't mean a repressed memory or something that I had totally forgotten: just something that I hadn't remembered for a long time.
I recalled standing at front of the church, a fairly large one, and reciting that very same list: Genesis through Revelation. It seems to me to have been a challenge that was brought up in Sunday School when I was about eight years old, so I did it. One other girl also recited that day, and one boy and girl, slightly younger, recited the New Testament only.
I'm not sure why only two (or four) of us out of maybe a few dozen kids completed the task because I don't recall finding it at all difficult. My memory informs me that we had been given a keyring with 66 coloured cards attached, one for each book. No doubt, the cards were to be a memory aid, but I rather doubt that I used them much. I guess I didn't need to because I don't think it was difficult for me to learn and memorize things back then.
Oddly enough, as I recall it now, I also don't think it was difficult for me to get up in front of everyone. It seems to me that I just did it without fuss, muss or bother. Being onstage has never bothered this introvert too much although speaking up in certain situations might. I know; I'm strange.
There is absolutely no point to this post: no moral or lesson. It's just a meaningless memory that has now been recorded for however long Google keeps it in storage, which could be a long, long time, I suppose.
It's so interesting that many actors are rather shy people. I only walked onto stage a few times for high school plays and still haven't recovered from the stage fright ;0)
ReplyDeleteOf course this post had a point, that of sharing your story. I, too have spoken in front of... gosh... up to a thousand people or more. There's a comfort in numbers, I think... that "sea of faces".
ReplyDeleteOf course, I'm an extrovert with introverted bits and pieces in the mix.
It's odd how memories come to us, unbidden. As I get older I rather enjoy the mini movies of my life that play in my head.
ReplyDeletepam how come you have just written the first thing that came into my mind as I read this post. Today my mother and I have been sharing memories as we turned out one of her cupboards and found some of her old treasures, what should have been a quick task took hours as she reminisced.
ReplyDeleteQuestions:
ReplyDelete1. Can you still recall that list?
2. Have you ever considered community theatre? You should!
3. How is your sore paw?
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Your great grandchildren will find it. No doubt. :)
ReplyDeletePeace,
~Chani
No such thing as a meaningless memory, a.c. Our memories make us what we are and the are all important in some way. I enjoy my memories. They are very comforting to me at times.
ReplyDeleteWritten memories are much more widely read than those only recorded inside our heads. The word picture you drew evoked similar memories of my younger days in Sunday school. ec
ReplyDeleteIsn't it odd (and wonderful) the way the human memory works?
ReplyDeleteI have a few lists still stored in my head. I doubt I will ever use the information again, but for whatever reason, it has stuck with me.
ReplyDelete