Writing

I always wonder how our internal memory works.  Sunday night I was awakened around 2:30  and could not go back to sleep.  I lay awake pondering…which is something I often do when it finally hit me.  I woke up at just about the exact time 24 years earlier I was giving birth to my third child, my son, Kurt.  I will never forget any of my children’s births, but because Kurt was born at home it was even more special.  (This was not planned, but since I fell asleep during contractions, when I woke up he was ready to be born!) I had already planned on calling him Monday when he got home from work, but I believe my internal memory was remembering.

Sounds crazy, I know…but I really believe it.   Many times I have been awakened by my internal memory.  When my father was passing from this earth nearly 2 years I ago I was again awakened.  It was a feeling.  I knew he was sick and I was going to teach one more class and then the following day I would be leaving to meet up with my brother and sister to visit him.  I felt a heaviness that early morning and I felt as though he had passed.  I was not shocked when my mom called to tell me the news.

Many times when I wake up at night I often meditate and try to see what my internal memory is trying to teach me.  Many times I have had dreams of curriculum or new ideas that have come to me at night.  I have learned that if I don’t write it down immediately, by the morning I can’t remember it anymore.

As the memoir coach I am always fascinated by how our memory works.  Many times things can be hidden in the recesses of our brains for years, even decades and then a smell or a song or a picture can bring it back to our memory.

Each of us has a memory full of associations, ideas and richly remembered experiences.  Dig down deep and see what you can uncover…

My son, Kurt who just celebrated his 24th birthday!