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Mary's Moments Blog Post

Childhood Memories

Childhood memories are like treasures we carry with us throughout our lives. Some of these memories are crystal clear, while others our parents tell us, painting pictures of a past we can’t quite remember on our own. There is magic in these memories, both the ones we remember and the ones we are told.


Remembering


One of the most significant milestones in a child's life is their first day of school. Many of us remember the excitement of buying new clothes or wearing a new uniform, carrying a bright backpack, and stepping into a classroom filled with new faces. The nervousness mixed with anticipation, the warm smile of the teacher, and the sound of the school bell often stay with us.  


There are also the ones that stand out for other reasons. Mine - the teacher that did nothing wrong but just the look of him absolutely terrified me.  I had nightmares for months.  School memories good or bad, mark the beginning of our journey of learning and growth.


Family vacations create some of the happiest memories. Whether it was a trip to the beach, a camping adventure, or a visit to a grandparent's house, these moments are filled with laughter and love. The joy of being together with family leave a mark on our hearts. We remember the games we played, the new places we discovered, and the stories shared. 



I have many fond memories of time spent with grandparents on my mother's side.  Catching grasshoppers and butterflies was a highlight. 


My grandfather prepared a home by putting holes in the top of a jar with some grass and various other things.  I only kept them for a day then set them free again in the evening.  There was also a big old walnut tree – I remember gathering the walnuts that fell with my brother.  Seeing who could find the biggest ones.


Packing a picnic to go fishing - my grandfather knew the perfect spot. And grandma made the best milkshakes ever.


I have fond memories with grandparents on my father's side as well. My brother and I propped up in the wheelbarrow while my grandfather wheeled us around. And, picking flowers for the dinner table from my grandmother's garden was always a favorite time. She would tell me which ones were ready for picking.


I distinctly remember eyeing one rose. It wasn't ready however, my grandmother saw me looking at it longingly and finally said, "go ahead". It was a sureeal moment for my little self. I loved that rose and it looked so beautiful on the dinner table that day.


Holidays are also a time of joy and celebration, and the traditions we follow become cherished memories. Decorating the Christmas tree, lighting candles during Hanukkah, or hunting for Easter eggs are moments filled with wonder and excitement.  The anticipation of special meals and togetherness create memories that we carry with us throughout our whole lives. 


We always had a beautiful Christmas tree every year.  I remember it always being the centre of the celebrations (as is in most homes) but there was always a lot of attention and care given to decorating in our home.  Every year I felt we had the most beautiful tree in the world. 


In my adult years, I took it a step further (expensive as it was/is), we chose to have a real one and expanded the Christmas tree experience. For many years, we took the kids to cut our own.  It was a day of apple cider by the fire, wagon rides and other fun activities. 


Birthday parties are another. Planning a party, inviting friends, and opening presents is something many of us can recall very well. The birthday cake, the games, and the feeling of being the center of attention make birthdays unforgettable. These celebrations add joy to our lives.


I don't recall many birthday parties from my childhood, but there's one memory that stands out clearly. I was pretty young when I asked my mom if she could make a bunny cake. And she did—she absolutely nailed it. To this day, it remains the best birthday bunny cake I've ever seen.


Isn’t it funny the things that stand out?


On the other hand, there are many memories shared only by parents:


While we may not remember taking our first steps, our parents sure do.  The moment we let go of the furniture and took those wobbly steps towards them is a memory they cherish. The determination on our faces, the cheers of encouragement, and the sense of accomplishment we felt.


Our first words are another precious memory. Whether it was "mama," "dada," or the name of a favorite toy, our parents remember the excitement of hearing us speak for the first time.


Parents love to share funny incidents from our early years highlighting our curiosity and innocence. For example, a child might try to imitate an adult by putting on their shoes and stumbling around the house or they might have a hilarious reaction to tasting something sour for the first time. These moments stir up smiles and laughter.


While we might not remember our early bedtime routines, our parents do. The stories they read to us, the songs they sang, and the rituals that helped us feel safe and loved. These moments are cherished by parents as they reminisce on the closeness they shared with us during those quiet times.


Why We Remember Some Things and Not Others



Memory is a complex process that involves various parts of the brain. When we form memories, the hippocampus, a region in the brain, plays a key role in encoding and storing these memories. However, not all memories are retained the same. There are a few reasons why some memories stick with us while others fade away.


Memories that have a strong emotional component are more likely to be remembered. Events that make us feel happy, sad, scared, or excited tend to leave a lasting impression. This is because emotions trigger the release of certain chemicals in the brain that help strengthen memory formation.


Repetition also plays a role in memory retention. When we repeat an experience or an activity, it reinforces the neural connections in our brain, making it easier to recall later. For example, family traditions and routines are often remembered because they occur regularly.


If an event stands out to us or we pay close attention to it, it is more likely to be encoded.


This is why unique or unusual experiences are often remembered vividly.


The reason we can’t remember everything:


One of the most interesting things about memory is infant amnesia.  We can't remember much from when we were very young, usually before the age of three or four. The parts of the brain involved, are not fully developed in babies. As these parts grow, we do get better at forming and keeping long-term memories.Before we can talk, it's harder for us to make and recall as well. Once we learn language, we can better describe and organize our experiences, which helps us remember.  Then there’s the sense of self. Before we understand ourselves as individuals which happens around the age of 3, it's harder to create and keep personal memories.


Our brains are really good at picking out important information and remembering it. This selective memory helps us focus on what matters and learn from it. But it also means we forget a lot of the small stuff that happens every day.

 

It isn't like a video that captures everything exactly as it happened. Instead, it's like putting pieces together each time we remember something- sort of like a memory reconstruction.


When we think about a memory, we might change it a little based on how we feel or what we're thinking now. This can make our memories change or even get mixed up over time.


Childhood memories, whether we remember them ourselves or hear about them from our parents, are special parts of our lives. They help shape who we are and make us feel connected to our past. Memory science explains why we keep some memories and forget others. It shows that our early years are a time of quick growth and change, both in our brains and in our lives.


It is good to periodically take a moment to think about your childhood and the stories your parents tell. These memories are a special part of your life.,

 

A story worth sharing: (Author: Unknown)

 

My husband said to me this morning as he got the kids ready for a day out “they’ll never remember.  All this stuff we do with them, the places we take them….

they won’t remember much of it.”

 

He is right.  They won’t.  Not much of it anyway.  But still it matters.  Because he and I will remember.

 

Someday in the future,

 

As the door opens and our son introduces his first girlfriend or boyfriend, we will remember a time when all that mattered in his world was his mom and dad.  And that how we treated him painted the canvas of how he sees this first relationship.

 

As our teenage daughter runs up the stairs claiming we don’t understand her, we will remember that all it took when she was 5-years-old was a kiss, a cuddle and soothing words and that although she has no memory of it, she returns for those words aged 15.

 

We will remember as we choose the paint that will redecorate the hall, that we don’t have to worry about the expensive paint that you can rub handprints from anymore. 

 

And as I watch my children with children, I will remember that every trip to the park, every day we bombed them with love, every time we played hide and seek, shaped the map that they walked upon, in their quest to be good with children themselves.

 

And as I walk along the beach someday in years to come, my face lined with the creases of my thoughts, my moments of panic, my moments of joy, I will feel the hot sand on the soles of my feet and remember my child walking to the sea with her dad on a day that I thought would last forever, but has now long gone.

 

I’ll remember.

 

And my darling child, I will tell you what you don’t remember….

 

Holding your tiny body against my skin in a feeling that would defy what I ever thought possible. 

 

Holding your hand as you took your first steps. Away from me.  Towards the world.

 

Holding your waist as you navigated a pathway that had imaginary crocodiles trying to snap your ankles.


Holding it together when your daddy threw you up into the air, you squealing with delight, me squirming with anticipation.

 

Holding a book, a breast pump, and a baby hand whilst I read you a story.

 

Holding back the tears when you had me filled with pride at your school play.

 

And you may say “I don’t remember any of that.”

 

No.

 

But I will.

 

And as I watch you transition from child to teenager to adult to parent to home owner, I will know that what I remember, keeps you close to me.

 

And what you don’t remember, made you, you.

 

And no matter how old you are, precious child, should you find yourself up in the air, call us.

 

Daddy knows how to catch you – Remember?


 




With every trip down memory lane, we can appreciate the moments that made us who we are and the stories our parents told. Each are special and make our lives richer.





























Cherish those beautiful memories.












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