Unforgettable Memories... or So They Call It

There is no such thing as "a long time ago." There are only memories that mean something to us and those that simply don't.

It got me thinking about the meaning of memories and how much value we give to those memories that we hold so dearly close to our hearts vs. those we can't even recall ever happening.

And if I'm being completely honest with you, there seems to be a lot more memories we supposedly shared that I tend to not remember while those same memories meant the world to you. Those memories that you seem to remember to the core, meant nothing to me. I know that because I don't remember the moments like you do. Not even close. I do not recall every second of every one of those moments that you remember so very well, because to me… they were just events that took place at some point in my life and now just distant memories. To me, those moments were just another occurring and nothing special worth remembering.

One would know if a certain part of their past meant something to them if those things remind them of that moment the other person so genuinely seems to recall in details. As for me, it's like asking me if I remember what I had for dinner exactly a month ago or what I had for snack on Tuesday of last week. Impossible. I may recall the pieces here and there once someone starts narrating the story to jog my memory, but even then, I am never going to remember it the way you do. The worst part is when you keep scrutinizing a certain part of that specific memory you’re so hung up on and keep asking me, “Remember when we went to the… and that cashier said to us…and you flipped your hair like…” I’m really sorry, but no… no I truly don’t.

I know it must hurt to hear it like this, but I simply just don't remember it all as well as you do or even as nearly as close as you do. If it was a memory that also meant something to me, I would easily recall it and start reminiscing about it with you, but I just don't remember it the way you do. Knowing that it meant so much to you, I almost want to pretend like I do remember it when I don’t and make up those memories in my head the way you seem to remember it. But that’s even worse because now it’s just my urge for kindness just formulating a pitiful response to an unfortunate situation like such. And I know I probably should be recalling these so called “unforgettable memories” because you have your reasons for expecting me to remember it the way you do, but again, I just don't!

If it was a memory that actually meant something to me, there would always be something/someone else that would trigger my memory of it. The memory of those moments would always remain somewhere in the back of my head. But, they're simply not there, and not because it was something that happened a long time ago, but because it was a memory that never meant anything to me.

Some memories are inevitable, while others are so easy to forget. The ones that don't mean anything to you say a lot about that particular memory, the setting, the people that were present in that moment, those who weren't, and the significance of it all. If it was a part in your life that truly meant something, there would always be a room for it in your memories, but if it wasn't... well then you know what that means!