Remembering the Lessons

November 1, 2014 by JoAnna 14 Comments

Today’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday Post Prompt is: Memory.

My memory isn’t what it used to be. It makes me worry a little about that illness that old people get that starts with an A. But I’m not going to worry too much about that. Memory is a funny thing. We can remember some things so well: the long term memories or those big mistakes we want to forget, but then we get to focus on remembering the LESSONS from those mistakes.

I do want to remember how lonely I was a few years ago when I wanted a partner, but not the wrong partner. Lots of bad memories about the wrong partners. But were they really wrong at the time? Or did they teach me things I needed to learn to appreciate the partner I have now? First,  I learned how to be alone and love myself. Now I’m learning how to be in a healthy relationship.

Memories are such fleeting, fuzzy things sometimes. In writing our memoir, we keep getting the feedback to add more detail. Somethings we remember very clearly even from out high school romance in the early 70s. But many things are fuzzy. Dang, I already used the word fuzzy. This is Stream of Consciousness, it’s okay. Where was I? So, in writing a memoir, sometimes you have to re-create the details and dialogue. We’re keeping honest with the feelings and moods we do remember. But how much detail can anyone remember from conversations that took place 40 years ago?

I do love refreshing these memories. I love knowing that even though there have been some really sad memories, things have worked out. There have been so many challenges that I saw no way out of, but I got through them. We all do. That is the value of memories. Even if we make the same mistake more than once, we learn. We get better.

 

If you’d like to be part of the Saturday Stream of Consciousness prompt, visit

http://lindaghill.com/2014/10/31/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-november-114/

It’s fun and easy!

Here are the rules:

1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing, (typos can be fixed) and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.

2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.

3. There will be a prompt every week. I will post the prompt here on my blog on Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” or “Begin with the word ‘The’.”

4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours.  Your link will show up in my comments, for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top.

5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read everyone’s! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later, or go to the previous week, by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find right below the “Like” button on my post.

6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!

7. Have fun!