I’ve been doing a lot of “remembering” lately, especially after reconnecting with a couple of old friends I hadn’t talked to in years last week.
As we were catching up and swapping stories about the “old times,” I realized we didn’t always remember those times the same way.
The big moments mostly matched, but the details sometimes varied wildly.
The places were a little different. The timelines shifted a bit.
But the strange thing is, both versions felt completely true.
At the same time, I’ve been thinking about my dear Miss Abby. This morning and afternoon, we’re gathering for her celebration of life, which means even more remembering.
Lots of stories. Mostly good. A few bad. And yes, a couple downright ugh-ly.
All this reflection raises a question: how trustworthy is my memory, really?
From what I’ve read, memory isn’t a recording. It’s more like a reconstruction. Every time we remember something, our brains rebuild the moment from pieces. A little fact here. A little feeling there. A little fiction to tie it all together.
In other words, remembering something can change the memories of it.
I know I’ve probably gotten plenty of details wrong over the years. Being from Texas, home of the tall tale, I’ve likely made some schtuff up without realizing it.
I try to be as honest as I can about the feelings and impressions. Details be damned.
As I get ready to hear stories about my beloved Miss Abby today, I’m going in with an open heart and mind. Memory blurs. It bends. And we humans are very good at filling in the gaps with a little old-fashioned storytelling.
Timelines may shift. And details might drift.
All depending on who’s telling the story.
And when. And where.
But none of those small discrepancies change the things that mattered most about Miss Abby. Her kindness. Her passion. Her warmth. Her love.
Maybe memory was never meant to be a perfect record.
Maybe it’s simply our way of holding on to what matters most.
Keep calm and reflect/remember on!
Clint 🌈✌️
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ICYMI = IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
SUNDAY = 25K (On YouTube) Celebration
MONDAY = The Tao Of Clint
TUESDAY = Alexander McQueen + Rudolf Nureyev
WEDNESDAY = I'm So Excited...
THURSDAY = The Longs + Shorts Of It
FRIDAY = Reunited...And It Feels So Good
SATURDAY = Falling Down Rabbit Holes
BORN THIS WAY ON THIS DAY
03-22 = Foo Foo Lammar (1937-2003) = British drag queen 🌈
03-22 = Guillermo Díaz (1975- ) = American actor 🌈
03-22 = Princess Isabella Of Parma (1741-1763) = Spanish royal 🌈
03-22 = Stephen Sondheim (1930-2021) = American composer and lyricist 🌈
MAN CRUSH OF THE DAY
“Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos.”
Stephen Sondheim
Humans are a creative bunch by nature!
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