Tuesday, March 25, 2008

What is your earliest memory?

Memory is a weird thing. I've been told most of my life that I have an unusual memory. Actually, the word "unusual" comes up an awful lot, but that's another story...

I remember dreams I had when I was a kid (just the most vivid ones), and I remember specific conversations with people. And we all know about all the useless pop culture crap that has taken up permanent residence in my brain.

But the crap of it is that I don't really have an active control over what gets stored and what doesn't. I can try, sure (phone numbers, anniversaries, children's names, etc.), but every now and then I'll see something on TV or in a book or on YouTube, and there's like an explosion of memory. Sometimes it's a little overwhelming.

But I was thinking about it, and I'm curious as to what other people's earliest memories are. With that, if you could go ahead and share your earliest memory in the comments, that would totally rock.

I'll start, since it was my idea.

My earliest memory is being about 2 years old, walking into my parents' bedroom, where their black-and-white TV had a rerun of The Brady Bunch playing. While I was watching that, I remember the distinct sensation of the back of my diaper expanding.

That's about it. Sort of a memory fragment, but that's the earliest I remember without aid from a picture.

Knowing me, there's a very good chance that my last memory will also involve filling my diaper, watching a rerun of The Brady Bunch.

All right, now it's your turn. Join in the fun!

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:39 PM

    Jeff, that's an awful last memory! Honestly. I shake my head at you. I have a few early memories that I'm not sure about the chronology. I think my earliest memory is waking up in the middle of the night and walking out into the living room where my parents were eating cheese fondue by the fireplace. I think they let me stay up awhile. Not nearly as entertaining as yours, but there it is. :) - Kelly

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  2. Anonymous11:30 AM

    I agree that is an awful last memory. Giligan's Island or Adam West's Batman would definatly help.
    My ealiest is poddy training in my parents red bathroom. I hope red bathrooms do not come back in style anytime soon.

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  3. That is hilarious about your first memory, crapping your pants.

    I remember a lot about being little, but can't be sure which one goes where chronologically. I know I was under 3 when the following happened, due to knowing how old I was when living at that particular house.

    - I remember tasting my dad's coffee

    - The time I learned that there was a lid on the salt shaker and feeling totally betrayed that my parents never told me I wasn't shaking anything on my food. I was sitting at my Holly Hobby table.

    - Our mama cat killed all her newborn babies and scattered them all over the steps. :(

    - My mom washing my hair in the kitchen sink with me laying on the counter hanging my head in the sink. My hair was past my butt and it was the easiest way to wash it.

    - Having scarlet fever and the medicine tasting like kerosene.

    And I do recall one really vivid dream, about scientist-looking guys in white coats doing experiments on me. I woke up so freaking scared.

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