s/o Memory thread on MM

[winecat]

There is a post on MM about whether or not people have black holes in your memory.  

I was talking with my brother today and he mentioned something from our childhood that I had no memory of at all.  I was 4 and it was a major event that lasted a long time.  I don't remember anything.  

When did you start remembering your childhood?  

[starburst604]

One of the earliest events I can remember is my mom being pregnant with my sister. I remember her letting me feel the baby kick in her belly, and waking up one day to my grandmother babysitting me because she was at the hospital having my sister. I remember going to visit them and giving my mom this perfume that was in a bottle shaped like a deer and my mom was very emotional, hugging me and crying. I was just about 3.5 at that time.

[becwheat]

I remember moments from age 3 and more starting at age 4. We moved when I was 4 so that is when I start remembering things more clearly.

[prettyinpearls]

One moment that stands out in my memory is from when I was under the age of three. I was probably closer to 2 years old. I was sitting on the bed in my parents room (bio dad and mom) and my mom was yelling at my bio-dad and threw her lime green comb at him. That’s all I remember.

My mom and current dad (he adopted me) married when I was 4 y/o.

I find that I have a hard time deciphering actual memories from an early age from what I see in photos from back in the day. I do remember at my adoption hearing when I was 5 y/o (it was on my birthday!) the judge sat me on his lap in his chambers, pointed to my dad, and asked if I wanted “that guy over there” to be my new daddy. I said yes and then proceeded to tell the judge all about the new Barbie doll house my dad had built me for my birthday.

[btay]

My childhood memory is pretty spotty. My oldest memory is from when I was probably like 2, but I apparently went to the circus when I was 4 and have completely blocked that from my memory. My friend who is younger than me remembers it clearly though.

[riverpestie]

I remember a time when I was about two, when a stray dog came to our house and we had her in the backyard while we were looking for her people, (which is a lot more difficult without the internet  ). Her people never came forward and she spend the next 17 years with us. I was kneeling on the ledge in my kitchen. Mom and I were trying to figure out what to name her and I was dead set on "Lassie." LOL. That's not what her name turned out to be, but I am pretty sure that's my first memory. 

I remember a lot of stuff from childhood and such. People are surprised when I bring up stories about what happened. 

[Deleted]

My first memory is from when I was 3. It was a couple weeks before my birthday and I had to get stitches. I think the only reason I remember it so vividly was because it was traumatic for me. I have random memories here and there but I don't remember and large amount of time until I was 6-7.

[Wanderista]

My memory kicked in when I was 3. It's not like I remember everything perfectly after that but I remember a lot. I've probably mentally blocked out a lot of middle school though hehe.

My parents divorced when I was 3 so that probably precipitated it. I vividly remember their arguments and the divorce. I have a couple of very spotty memories that were possibly from when I was 2. One of those is a memory of us looking at a rental property which they rented briefly. Because they were looking at it, I was probably 2. I just remember looking at it, not much detail or anything that was said. I also vaguely remember being sung to at pre-school while my dad held me. In that case, I only remember the song not the images. I definitely remember more extensive chunks from 3 onward. 

I have a pretty good memory but it is not like my dad's. My memory is pretty vivid and I remember a lot but my dad has kind of a freakish memory for things that have happened to him. You can play a game with him by asking him, "Where were you on (random date, can be in the 70s, 80s or later)?" He will know in crazy detail. His childhood memory probably kicked in at 3 or 4 but his memory from middle/late childhood onward is pretty intense. I think I kind of inherited my memory from him but mine is a bit patchier than his when it comes to events from the past. 

[onedayatatime]

I have fairly spotty memories from 3-5 and then remember most things after age 5.

The memories that are clear from 3-5 are all with my dad (who was dying) so I think I instinctively knew those were important to hold on to


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[abcdefu]

Unfortunately, my first memory I have is when I had to have a horrible surgery when I was 4. I was in the hospital for over a month and I remember coloring with my left hand because my IV was in my right. I had a Peter Pan coloring book!

[mcc]

I remember preschool graduation at 4 I think. It's hard for me to determine what are real memories and what are constructs from seeing photographs.

[Deleted]

I have some very early memories. My dad passed when I was 5, so I can sort of gauge how old I was at certain memories.
I remember sitting up in my crib and my grandmother picking me up I was probably about 2.  
That being said, there are things I did maybe 10 years ago that I can vaguely recall only when reminded. It's strange how certain things stand out while others completely fade away.   

ETA: I remember when my mom came to my grandmother's house and told me my dad had passed.  I even remember the tweed coat she was wearing like it was yesterday.

[Deleted]

Apr 21, 2014 13:47:05 GMT -5 onedayatatime said:

I have fairly spotty memories from 3-5 and then remember most things after age 5.

The memories that are clear from 3-5 are all with my dad (who was dying) so I think I instinctively knew those were important to hold on to


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I have that same experience.  My dad got diagnosed with cancer when I was 3.

[onedayatatime]

Apr 21, 2014 20:37:46 GMT -5 @blueyes623 said:

Apr 21, 2014 13:47:05 GMT -5 onedayatatime said:

I have fairly spotty memories from 3-5 and then remember most things after age 5.

The memories that are clear from 3-5 are all with my dad (who was dying) so I think I instinctively knew those were important to hold on to


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I have that same experience.  My dad got diagnosed with cancer when I was 3.

Your experience does sound similar, my dad was diagnosed with cancer when I was 1 and died when I was 6.


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[sweetchix]

Apr 21, 2014 13:47:05 GMT -5 onedayatatime said:

I have fairly spotty memories from 3-5 and then remember most things after age 5.

Same here. My earliest memory must've been when I was around 2-3. My mom's cousin and her son were over and we were doing "cartwheels" in the backyard and eating cracker jacks.

[winecat]

I have spotty memories when I was young as well, but remember somethings. I apparently do not remember anything from being 4 though. I wish this was a safe place so I could mention details.

[gault]

My first memory was toddling from my play kitchen to the dining room table serving my parents play spaghetti. I was 2.