Connie's Corner

Childhood Memories

I think we're going to have an early fall this year. I can't remember seeing fog in August but this morning it has settled over everything, not just spots, and the heavy air has a tiny tiny bit of coolness in it. It is more than welcome and my a/c thanks whoever or whatever is responsible.

Being a memoirist, I was wondering last evening why we can't remember our early childhood...so of course to the net I go. I always thought it was because our brain was not formed enough, but think about it. The early years are when we learn so many things...language, right and wrong, love, and its opposite and so many many other things. We certainly remember language, why not things that happen to us? Well, apparently there is this thing called "childhood amnesia." The hippocampus is growing so rapidly some memories are destroyed as new memories are made, isn't that sad?

And things we think we remember from 3 or 4 years of age are most likely from stories adults have told us. I have a picture of myself sitting in some meadow-like place with a white bunny rabbit. It looks like I must be around 2 or 3 years old and it may as well be someone else. I have no memory of it at all but my relatives have all told me, "yes, that's you, Connie." I'm sure you have photos like this too.

There are snatches of things I do remember, being thrown up in the air and caught by an uncle, I think, and having a temper tantrum, pulling the cover and sheets off my bed in a fury when I was tiny because Mommy was going somewhere and wouldn't take me with her. Why do I remember these things and not others? I guess our childhood will remain a mystery...but why?

until next time...c