Perception of Time

[rinue]

I talked to Mom today about her memories of being executor of my grandmother's estate, which happened when I was 14. Research for a script. Writers' well-known mining of friends and family's life experiences for use in a story is well-known and often viewed as predatory. And often is predatory. But not always. Often it's a chance to ask questions you wouldn't ask otherwise, to stand beside someone you love and see the moments for which you weren't present.

I don't have any memory of my grandmother's funeral or viewing. I remember her death. I know during the memorial service I must have sat toward the front of the church although I more normally sat in the balcony. I remember my great aunt's viewing not long before, putting a Dr. Pepper in her casket and a piece of embroidery. I couldn't tell you what season it was.

It always interests me to notice what I do and don't remember. Time is strange. Much of my childhood seems more recent than things that happened three years ago. Other years are mostly gone. The things that stick around don't seem more or less useful to know than the things that are missing.

Comments

[valancy_jane]

It always interests me to notice what I do and don't remember. Time is strange. Much of my childhood seems more recent than things that happened three years ago. Other years are mostly gone. The things that stick around don't seem more or less useful to know than the things that are missing.

So, so true.