Once upon a time, my mother related to me that she once took me to her friend's house for her to babysit me for a short time. From Mom's recounting, I understand that the babysitter was a little disappointed in my visit, for all I did for the whole time was play with latch or handle on a door.
It can't really be the case that I remember, but I almost feel like there's a faint niggling in my brain of me standing by a back door and playing with the lock or latch or jiggling a skeleton key in a lock or whatever.
It is almost certain that this is just an impression of sorts. When Mom told me about this, and I think that I was still just a kid when she did, I probably just made a picture in my brain. Now, when I think that maybe I do remember the event, I am most likely just remembering the impression that I made back then. I was probably too young at that time for the incident to remembered anyway.
Most adults have little to no memory of events before the age of 3 or 4. This phenomenon is known as infantile amnesia. While some individuals might recall isolated fragments or emotionally charged events from as early as age 2 or 3, these memories are often vague and may be influenced by stories told by others. (Google AI — emphasis mine)
Still I do sometimes wonder if my brain has retained some sort of impression of the actual episode. Meanwhile, I do remember that my mother telling me of it certainly struck a chord for some reason. Why do I remember so clearly, or at least I think I do, her telling me of something in passing, possibly more than 65 years ago?
Why did an image like the one above evoke so much? Did that long-ago conversation with my mother somehow implant a false memory? But then, why do I remember the offhand conversation so much?
I'll never know for sure, will I?
And where is Mom when I need answers, like how old was I at the time, and what sort of door and latch was it?
It's sad that we don't know, while we are young, that we would have need of those type questions...I have a few myself.
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday...
Donna
So many times, I want to ask her jus t one more hting.
DeleteAt other times, I want to learn how to keyboard. 😁
DeleteThe brain is a funny thing. For many decades of my life, I had a memory of laying on a floor underneath a table in a trailer house but my mom insisted that it couldn't be true because the only one she lived in was for a year when I was only 12 months old. She's been gone for 7 years now and with this post and thinking about that "memory" again, it feels not real now, like it was a mental wish. But I know my younger self would tell me that it felt very real at the time. Like you, I'll never know the true answer. After that, it is probably another three or so years before I have any memories that I'm more positive were true but as I get older, they seem less real than they felt when I was younger.
ReplyDeleteLike Donna said, I wish I had my brain that I have now back when I was 40 years younger. I have a huge list of questions I would ask those that are no longer here.
ReplyDeleteYes, I also replied that to her.
DeleteMy grown children are prone to have memories which they carry of events that I remember differently. It makes no difference if I say that things were different. They are quite sure of their own minds. So whether or not the elders are still around to clarify, it seems an experience becomes more real in the minds' recollection.
ReplyDeleteIt has been proven often that memories are very unreliable, even after a short while. Of course, we all think that ours are correct, but we should probably not be too dogmatic about them.
DeleteRecollections are not to be trusted. They change with every recall, I hear.
ReplyDeleteI believe there can be some kind of memory of traumatic events. Perhaps simply fragments, but something.
ReplyDeleteI recall laying in my playpen at my grandparents place in Cobourg. There was a net over the bed and I could see the breeze ruffling the leaves of the trees above my head. Still young enough to sleep in a baby bed, so ??? three perhaps.
ReplyDelete