Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Forget Me Not


I love forget-me-not flowers, the colors are so pretty, and there is just something about these delicate little flowers that I find so endearing. And equally as endearing is the sweet sentiment of 'forget me not'.

Well, this post is not about those pretty little blooms, and it's not about lovely sentiments, it is about the fact that I forget everything! I wish I could say I had a photographic memory, or a mind like a steel trap, once it's in there it is locked in tight. But that is not me at all. As much as I love the forget-me-not flower, it in no way represents my mind. I forget appointments, I forget birthdays, I forget times and dates, when I say that I forget everything, I mean that I forget everything. I've heard that you forget things that don't really matter to you, but I hope that's not true, because that would mean that nothing really matters to me. I literally spend half my day drawing a blank on so many, many things. And I don't think I can blame it on my age, I think I've always been like this. I think that's why I didn't do well in school, I don't retain anything! Well, I retain bits and pieces, but not the whole of anything. I don't know geography or history, (and let's not even mention math or science!). Names, dates, places ~ I either draw a blank, or it's all a sort of muddled blur inside my head most times.
And it's not just facts and figures that throw me for a loop, it's people and faces too!
You should hear me trying to come up with the name of an actor or an actress, I'll say, "You know him, he has dark hair, and he was in that movie that I like with that actress with the blond hair, she was married to another actor but now they're divorced, and the movie they were in was that love story, and it was kind of a long movie, and he was also in that funny movie about the guys that went on some kind of western vacation with that old actor that did push-ups at the Oscars one year." That about sums up a conversation with me! I'm very lucky that Ray is used to me and most times he'll actually come up with the actor and the actress and the movie that I was thinking of! (Do any of you have any idea who I'm thinking about and what the movie was?)
But that's the least of it.
I have been late for and/or completely missed countless dentist appointments and hairdresser appointments, and if I had a dollar for every time I've raced out this door at the last minute to go pick up Jayden from school because I've forgotten whether this is a half-day or a full-day for him, well, I'd be going on a nice shopping spree now!
I forget to pay bills, I forget about lunch dates with friends, I forget to buy birthday cards (even when I have it all written down on a list for myself), I forget to mail bills and birthday cards, I forget ingredients in recipes, I forget directions, I forget where I put my glasses when I've just put them down! I forget what time I'm supposed to meet up with Ray when we are shopping, and I forget where we said we'd meet!
If you ask me to do something, you better remind me over and over again, because ten minutes after our conversation, it has probably gone right out of my head!

If you are one of those people that have a good memory for history, and facts, and figures, and dates, I applaud you! And if you are one of those people that has a good memory just for the everyday things in life, well, I am extremely envious of you! Please tell me, what is your secret? Oh, and if ever we get to meet face-to-face, don't be offended if I've forgotten your name!

12 comments:

  1. Just tell people your memory really isn't all that bad, Eileen...you just forget the things you remember, that will leave them wondering and confused and they will forget that you forgot! Does it ever cause a serious problem for you, if not just have a sense of humor about it. If it really bothers you, maybe it's a vitamin or mineral deficiency. OR...maybe you're just teasing us, and forgot to tell us!

    This is Wanda...Moments of Mine in Ohio...remember...Alivia's gramma!

    Lo♥e to you Eileen!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh Eileen I too forget a lot of things which is why I make lots of notes but I do forget those too at times. I know that after going through menopause it got worse for me. If it bothers you too much you can ask your doctor about it. Also there are many new memory games for game boy and other gaming units. My problem seems to be more with the short term memory but like you it's more than that as well. This is why I feel that it is so important to journal about things. But I truly don't feel that you are alone in this. Forget me not's are beautiful just like you!
    Love Di ♥

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm not very good with names either. I try to remember everything else by carrying my brain (calendar) wherever I go. There's nothing to be ashamed of by having an "extra brain" around now and again! Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Chemobrain...great excuse...works for me. What, no chemo? You can say you caught it from me...LOL...;-) Love you, Eileen!!! ~Janine XO

    ReplyDelete
  5. I do the "you know that movie about whatchamacallit and the star was in that other movie we liked..." but the everyday things I am much better at. For one thing, I have a calendar right in front of me as I sit at the computer. I write on it a note to remind me which day to send a birthday card so it will get there on time. I use it for everything.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Eileen...I understand completely. Does that make you feel better? :)) I smile when I read the part about trying to remember the actor/actress' name. I've done that SO many times, I don't even want to think about it. Chalk it up to brilliance....intelligence...and all those great attributes. That's what I say, and I'm sticking to it.
    Love you Eileen...
    J.

    ReplyDelete
  7. We all forget, just this morning I locked myself out of my house.....don't even ask. Anyway my name is Bernie, and I am a forgetful person.......and I am okay. It is what it is and so I focus on what I do remember and make the best of it just like I know you will do.
    Hugs to Jayden......love you,....:-) Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dear Eileen, I can relate. I forget a lot of things too. I especially forget names and it drives me crazy. I will go to the store sometimes with a note and forget to look at it. I keep two calendars on my computer. One sends me reminders via e-mail a week before an appointment and the other sends a pop up a week before. That helps me a lot to stay organized. I hope you have a wonderful time at the River Dance! Happy Saint Patrick's Day and many blessings to you.
    Love, Carol

    ReplyDelete
  9. This actor, does he have two eyes, a nose and a mouth?
    :)
    dhoff

    ReplyDelete
  10. hehehe oh who are you again??? oh yeah right, Eileen, lol love this post, because...oh wait I forgot why.... I am in the same boat....soooo forgetful and sometime is can be a little embarrassing too! Happy.....what day is it? Oh yeah Valentines Day my friend LOL. hugs and lots of smiles, although I can't remember why...LOL

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is just such a cute, honest post, Eileen. I can't believe you are that forgetful...cause you still remember me and my blog, and some facts about my life!

    Blessings on your day, dear friend. Oh, and I love forget me nots, too!

    Happy St. Patrick's Day. I never knew anything about the leprechaun trap. I guess it is part of the celebration. Bright ideas you had about it...and great goodies too!

    Love
    Lidj

    ReplyDelete
  12. Since you have been this way your whole life at least you don't have to worry about dementia. I think you forget things because you are a very sensitive, kind person who is continually caring for people and their wants and needs...that part of your brain is very overly developed (fortunate for your friends and family) so of course the memory part of your brain probably has to compensate. Sort of like the right brain/left brain thing. I really think this is what is going on.

    And I use to believe that we remember what is important to us...but I have learned, especially the past few years, that that is simply not true. I often forget the fun stuff, the things I really wanted to do.

    ReplyDelete