Memorex

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Memorex

January 16, 2009 by Corina

I used to have a really good memory. My ex-husband used to call me Memorex (for those of you too young to know, this was a reference to a Memorex audio cassette tape commercial). I used to have almost total recall.

Then I had kids. And my memory went downhill from there. The only thing I can attribute it to is that once I had kids, there were more important things to occupy my mind.

I still remember really trivial things that I knew before kids (bk) but things I should remember never stuck in my mind after kids (ak).

For example, today is January 16 and it is the birthday of my sixth grade teacher, Rick Cassinelli. Now I was in sixth grade in 1968 so I really have no reason to remember Mr. Cassinelli’s birthday but I do. The phone number when I was a child was 292-9061. That hasn’t been the home number since 1966 but I still remember it. However, I don’t remember the number I had for four years in the early part of this decade. My best friend from 2nd to 4th grade was Lydia and her address was 1244 N. 14th Street. I have no idea what my friend Paula’s address is in Canyon Country and I’ve been there quite a few times in the past five years. There are countless other things that I remember when I should not and many more that I don’t remember when I should.

Of course part of this is aging but part of it is not. I was only 26 when my son was born and my memory started to go downhill so I know that aging was not responsible for it.

I don’t know if this is a valid theory or not but I’m sticking to it.

Posted in life | Tagged aging, life, memory | 6 Comments

6 Responses

on January 16, 2009 at 1:49 pm | Reply tpgoddess0103

Kids kill brain cells. No way around it! I have the same total recall from all sorts of numbers from my childhood. But ask me to tell you the name of my co-worker’s husband who was JUST HERE two hours ago??? Pffffffffffffft.

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on January 17, 2009 at 7:59 am | Reply bibliomom

I haven’t had to call my best friend Lisa’s parents house in years but I know the number memorized still and probably always will have. It definitely is weird how the mind works and what the mind chooses to retain.

I’m with tp though. Kid’s definitely kill brain cells and ex husbands don’t help that either!

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on January 17, 2009 at 9:53 am | Reply ybonesy

I think it’s definitely a valid theory. Our brain cells were fresh and plentiful when we were young, and now they’re not only old but they’re also holding tons of information for everyone else in our families.

BTW, did you see the story last year about a woman who has total recall of her entire life? She lives in so much pain because she can remember every moment, including all the times her parents didn’t give her enough attention, her parents’ divorce, etc. At first when I heard about her, I thought: Wow, what a gift. But then when I saw the interview with her, I realized that forgetfulness serves an important purpose. As they say, time heals the pain. Not for someone who has complete recall, though.

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on January 17, 2009 at 11:28 am | Reply leakelley

I saw that story ybonesy is referring to.
I don’t recall if the woman had kids or not but that kind of memory recall would sure make me more tired that being a mom of twenty brain cell thieves!
Your theory seems quite valid to me.
Have you ever noticed how a mother has to call out all her kids’ names before she finally remembers which one she is yelling at?

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on January 17, 2009 at 2:34 pm | Reply davidrochester

I don’t have the excuse of kids, so I’m going to be just plain depressed when my memory starts to crap out on me.

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on January 20, 2009 at 2:29 pm | Reply paisley

girl… my memory is getting so bad,, i swear to god i wonder what i am going to be able to do or work … i don’t think i have it together enough to waitress anymore… i am scared to death i would screw up every table!!!!!

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