Memory is not as constant as some may think. When I was younger, I could “sing” “The Gambler” from memory. It was on the radio yesterday and my attempt to sing along was mediocre. My words were slightly different, the tune was not quite how I remembered, and I was certain the rhythms had changed. If your relative heard a story one time when they were a child, what’s the chance they remember a few details differently from what they were told?
If I can’t remember a song I heard numerous times, the odds are good that I’m going to remember less of something I only heard once.
The child on the right has no eyes to indicate they are not paying any attention whatsoever.
7 Responses
When my brother was young he could lip sync every episode of Gilligan’s Island. He can’t now. Sometimes forgetting is a blessing. Thanks for the always entertaining tips.
You are welcome. Some things are best forgotten 😉
Every now and then I’ll hear an oldie but goodie that my mom or dad used to sing. Example: “Young at Heart” [“fairy tales can come true, they could happen to you, if you’re young at heart”] or some other song from the Frank Sinatra/Rat Pack era. Guess I was listening more than I thought … because all of a sudden I start singing the lyrics as if on autopilot. Brings back such wonderful memories. Thanks for blogging this subject.
Memories are not always the same. When my mother and her 2 sisters got to telling tales from their past, they ended up with 3 slightly different versions.
This is exactly true and is actually an upcoming tip. The stories can really differ sometiems between the oldest and youngest child.
If you know the bible Matthew and John even saw things differently. Just sayin.
The kids interpret things in relation to what they already know. Maybe they know only one of several cousins and if they hear a story about “your” cousin – they will think it is the one they know.
I thought of the joke about “Gladly, the Cross Eyed Bear.” that a child in Sunday School drew when asked to draw a picture of what they had learned that day.