Remember that?

I have the world's worst memory.  Seriously, the other day I got into it with my bank because they hadn't credited a check I put in last week.  Then I realized "oh, right, you have to actually deposit the check before you get credit for it.  Got it."  I like to think that this memory thing is a result of a lot of crap going on or better yet "mommy brain."  But let's be honest--I've always been awful.  Birthdays.  Forgotten.  What I did yesterday.  Can't remember.  The name of that guy.... Nevermind.

All of this said, being near where I grew up is making a veritable storm of memories come flooding back.  It's strange and uncomfortable and nice and surprising.  The other night as I was drifting to sleep, I could remember almost every detail of the house I grew up in.  I could remember the way the carpet in my room felt (soft green plush--classy).  I could remember a cupboard in the kitchen that I hadn't thought about in decades.  I could remember the smell from the back windows after my dad cut the lawn.  Memories of playing hide and seek with my babysitter and hiding in the bathroom cupboard (and how upsetting it was when I could no longer fit) were clear as day.  It was incredible.  It made me a bit sad, longing for simpler times.  But it was so nice to really be home for a few minutes.

And this isn't the only time, either.  When I go past my elementary school, I remember my first grade teacher (loved her).  When I go by the ice cream shop, I remember being there after a tee-ball game.  I even sent my incredible friend a photo of my son sitting in her driveway next to the pickup her dad has had for over 30 years.  Absolutely amazing.  I hadn't thought about the truck in years, and yet there it was, reminding me of the time we took her parents' car 4 blocks to my house, when neither of us had a license yet.  (Man were we rebels.)  Most of the memories have been great ones.  And that's nice to re-live.

On a side-note, just kidding about the car thing, son.  Mommy would never do that.  Anyway, you get the point.  It's very strange to be in a new place and even "stranger" to be in a new-old place.  It's also kind of nice.  I had changed so dramatically over the decades that followed and as a result had forgotten quite a few details.  I recommend spending some time remembering from where it is you came.  Literally, not in the "I'm Lebron James" sense.  It certainly puts things in perspective.  And, at a minimum, maybe you'll remember why hair crimpers should never be brought into the light of day again (I'm looking at you, Dr. J).  Maybe it will even help us see where we want to go from here.  Happy remembering.