I’ve decided to keep a memory journal. I have not decided yet if it is a healthy thing to do or not. See here is the thing, brains can only hold so many memories, right? Maybe not? And as sweet times are pushed out by new experiences, where do they go? And certain smells trigger memories, but what if I never smell that same smell again and what if I never get to smile again at that silly link between a particular deodorant and summer camp? As memories drop out of my mental space I want to catch them in my new journal. So, every time my brain thinks of a memory, good or bad, I will write it down.

For this to work, I must carry it with me constantly. To make it easier to find memories, I have decided to color code them. Nothing crazy. Childhood memories will be written down in blue ink. Quite simply because it is more fun. Adult memories (established from 18 years of age or older) will be written in black. It is all about sophistication. I do not know if this is a good idea. Maybe it will become a hassle. But maybe it will clear up some brain space. I wish I lived my life with a camera in my hand at all times. I wish we still developed photographs. I wish I videotaped family gatherings and had not forgotten the way certain voices sound. I know writing is static and flat, but maybe just maybe it will help me to remember all the good times I’ve had. Some people may think this is silly. And you my friend, may be right! But I will not know until I try, and I will not stop trying until I know. I would like to point out that I’m not losing my memory. Sometimes when I’ve got 3 papers due, a story to write, and a project I lose my mind, but my memories are quite in tact. I must assure you. I just thought this may be something fun to waste time on. Maybe I’ll even doodle a little bit. Or maybe I won’t because I am not the best artist. Maybe one day I will give it to my kids, or maybe me sharing that I am keeping it at all is too personal to begin with.

I’d like to take a moment of silence for all the memories that will not make the journal. I apologize for already forgetting you. Please know, that in the moment you were cherished greatly. But in my memory, you were sadly forgotten promptly. I’d like to also make a toast to the memories that have been fabricated from photos and stories. In my mind your real, so you get a place in the journal too. Don’t you worry! My goal is to have books full of memories so that if one day I wake up are realize I have forget something, even in just the slightest way, I can have it. Or maybe I will forget about this journal like all my other journals. You know, write in it for a while and then leave it on my bed side table for three years. Wouldn’t that be ironic. . .forgetting about a memory journal?