Memories...Forget-Me-Not

Memories are the integral part of us without which we cease to be what we are. Our identity is strongly linked to our memories. I have wondered how it would be if we lose our memory. Surely it would not be like how it is made to look like in the films, though the film "Ennale" based on this theme is a great piece of work.

Mr. Charles Assisi, the Executive Editor of Forbes India Magazine wrote a touching piece on his loss of large chunks of memory and his ability to make new memories- "What It's Like to Lose One's Memory-A first person account of a surreal world after the loss of memory". At the time he wrote it he had not recovered from the memory loss. The article starts like this - In his award-winning book, The Making of Memory, a copy of which sits on my desk right now, Steven Rose writes, “We know who we are and who other people are in terms of memory. Lose your memory and you as you cease to exist.”

Read Charles Assisi's article here: http://business.in.com/article/recliner/what-its-like-to-lose-ones-memory/28452/1#ixzz1hEwmBjap

Memories are rare gems, but it may change with time, get distorted or even fade away as the book "The Invisible Gorilla" says. So it is aways good to jot your good memories down. Somewhere down the line, when you are lost, it guides you back to the right track, gently reminds you to be grateful. It may seem like a dichotomy but sweet memories help you to forget the pain of the present. My friend used to surprise me by the way she talked about her father who expired recently. Every time she started to talk about her father she would start with a smile, and then share a great moment she had with him.

Autograph is a good movie which is based on the memories of Senthil (enacted by the talented actor and director- Cheran). It is a travel through his memories of how he was moulded by the different experiences in life.

Here is a short narrative of one of my very early memories. The memory of the best chocolate that I ever had:

"What should I bring you", lovingly aunt asked;

In deep comtemplation, moments passed.

"Chocolates" I said, "that's what I want".

And cuz said, "Let me have a doll, aunt".

Next day we waited with eyes on the street,

Ah! there she comes, our heart missed a beat.

Anticipation built, 'Will she remember my sweet?'

She opened her bag, and there it was! My treat!

"Chocolates?", exclaimed brother, "Is this what you asked?

Dont you know sis, It doesn't last!

I asked for toy and she for a doll,

Just wait for a day, there will be none left at all!"

On and on went he, with his lecture

I was too engrossed in my gift to bother.

Adoring the beauty of its attractive wrapper;

Bright scarlet hue and burnt umber.

The soft dark chocolate melted in my mouth

Tasted like heaven without a doubt!

More hands extented "Oh! Please share!

We know you're a sweet girl, so willing to share!"

Next day with dreams of chocolate I woke from slumber

With anxious eyes I scanned the table.

My precious chocolates, only a few left in number,

Most of them were wrappers in scarlet hue and burnt umber.

My chocolates were gone! I made a fuss

All gave advice and none a ear.

"Next time you ask, be wise like us!

Ask for chocolates - and you'll have to share"

As I went back decades to collect this gem

I wondered, did I make a mistake then?

Or should I have been wise like them?

The more I thought the surer I was, it was that cut that sparkled the gem.

--L. Joseph, 2010

Legend: Aunt: Aunt Pauline; Cuz: Bernadeth; Brother: Titus