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…
Happy Birthday Kurt! Wising you the best.