The inability to recall from memory the act of being born is similar to what we are often unable to recall or begin to recall with less detail as we age.
I believe the lack of recall is a protective mechanism of how the brain preserves itself against the two largest indubitable realities of life...
birth and death.
We have no way of knowing, but maybe the young mind and the very old mind are genetically programmed against recall.
Recall I remember every moment I spent in the womb and being born; I just cannot recall it.
From about three years of age we remember our accomplishments, the highs, lows, and defeats with vivid detail.
Most of us will continue to recall memories until we finally achieve the status of elderly.
As aging continues, we may experience difficulty with memory recall.
We may reprioritize the importance of accomplishments or interest may decline causing our opinion about accomplishment to change.
Accomplishment Accomplishment dictates, there are winners, and, there are not winners; in accomplishment, there are no losers.
There are memories that become more vivid with age.
We may not be able to recall what we had for breakfast, we can remember every moment of significant events that had long term consequences such as events in our children's lives, loss of family members and friends, or in too many cases war; of course, there are many others.
These are the memories that must be documented for future generations.
This is the stuff that defines a life, and is most frequently lost because of ignorance of its importance, or simply failure to listen and document their fleeting thoughts and forgotten memories.
Fleeting Thoughts We write our thoughts not to forget, but, to record a moment of fleeting thought shared from memory, then gone forever.
Thoughts converted to memories as age surges toward twilight; expressed as vivid reenactments of history and genealogy.
To let memory pass into obscurity decry the sadness that exists in the mind of man.
We write our thoughts, not to forget, but to record, to learn what the mind is teaching as fleeting thoughts flow through the mind, soon lost forever.
Forgotten Memories retain history those forgotten memories grown vivid with age Of all things we experience or must experience in life, death is the most dreaded and feared.
The fact that none of us will survive life does not lessen its impact.
We question death as no other topic.
Is there a continuation of life or only darkness of which there will never be memory? If I do not believe in a God, is there only darkness or is there eternal suffering in Hell? If God is merciful, even if I do not believe, will I be able to gain entrance into Heaven? The questions are never-ending; the only question we can answer about death, it will come to each of us in its own good time.
Yet leading to our last days, are ironies, waiting, aging, and memories.
Irony More will attend your wedding, than, will attend your funeral.
Waiting waiting for my time until then, I will enjoy life with my children Aging As I age, memory fades.
As time passes, I remember less what was perceived.
I look into the mirror several times a day to remember.
Soon, all passes into obscurity.
Memories every generations memory, of the way it used to be fond memories of the past, memories that never last stored away in the mind, triggered late in life, one last time every generation the same, childhood experiences abound forgotten for awhile, later will be found, as life ebbs, a smile of contentment presides, as memories flood into the light, eyes close gently one last time, as life ends, new life begins Finally comes the moment none of us looks forward to experiencing, our Death.
Never Again The dead breathe not the sweet taste of night air.
Silence betrays their presence with the stagnant scent of decay.
In the cool evening, heat no longer emanates from the furnace, that once was fueled by the constant stream of aerosolized gases, exchanged with each respiration.
Coins no longer cover eyes as payment for the boat keeper.
The dead lie enveloped in silk lined enclosures with silver tassels.
They breathe not the sweet taste of night air again.
Forgotten In death, a journey comes to an end.
Death's journey through life ends with a gathering of family and friends who reflect and comfort each, saddened by the life lost to them.
The defining moment of worth on display, no longer able to express emotion, a waxen replica of what was.
Those who now pass reminisce then weep the tears of loss; laugh as they remember great times.
So many memories buried, now surface for a time, again will be buried in the same manner.
Mourned for a time, memories fade with each generation, until, no memory remains.
A journey has come to an end.
A piece of history lost again.
Memory and the ability to recall diminish as time passes; we take for granted the lives we live.
The most fortunate are those who take time to document the history of their family members.
As of May 2011, there were 2,079,000 of our warriors from WWII, dying at a rate of about 1,000 per day.
Those remaining, not only from WWII, but from Korea, Vietnam, and all conflicts in which we have been involved have memories begging to be documented.
Memories are the legacy of those who were famous for the actions and deeds that defined their lives, including those we have been fortunate to know and love.
Through the documentation of their experiences, their legacy is protected and passed generation to generation.
No matter what we forget, let us not forget our history departing on a new journey every day.
When life ends, history is lost forever.
This article is based on my experience with the elderly within my family group.
For most, we did not document their experiences and those are now lost to us.
It is sad to know within 50 years, there will be no one who will remember their name much less their life accomplishments.
If we had written memories of their lives, it would be treasured and eventually become the story of generations of family members to be cherished as a part of history.