Kicking It on Memory Lane

After a year of Covid isolation, I am in complete agreement with Michael Douglas who admits in his recent interview in AARP magazine that he now suffers from short-term memory loss due to his past year’s pandemic isolation. Well, me, too!

As I see it, the consequence of my short-term memory loss is why my long-term memory has kicked in. I know because I keep recalling things from a long time ago that I never have before now. For instance, every time I zip up my jeans, I remember when lady’s jeans had a side zipper. They were so much more flattering.

Most recently, out of the clear blue, I find myself remembering someone from decades ago wondering “how are they doing?” Admit it. We’ve all picked up the phone and said, “I was just thinking about you.”

Doesn’t it make you wonder if there isn’t a mental-link between us? While it is still my unproven theory, I believe the only reason we think about someone is because at-that-exact moment, they are thinking about us too. Granted, it is still only my theory. Yeah, I know how weird it sounds, isn’t that why we use Facebook?

In support of my short-term memory loss, here is an example and this happens every day. I find myself walking back and forth from the bedroom to the kitchen trying to recall why I went there, only to return to my starting point, which is when I recall the reason why I went the opposite direction. It was to find my coffee. Alas, it is always cold.

Here is another thing about short-term memory loss, I forget to wear my Fitbit. Lucky for me, I have a husband who is quick to remind me that last year I was ‘getting in my steps’ while this year, I won’t even walk outside to empty the

recycle bin from under the sink.

Even though my Fitbit no longer counts my every step, I believe I am still getting in the requisite 7,500 a day. It’s a simple calculation. I am up 10 hours a day. There are 40 steps (80 round-trip) between the back bath and the kitchen which when divided into 7,500 you get 93.75 divided by 10 hours a day and whammo, I know I walk back and forth more than 10 times an hour looking for something, especially my cell phone.

Clearly it is due to short-term memory loss. This on-going game of hide-n-seek I play with my stuff is not getting any better. Basically, I play it multiple times throughout each day which adds to getting my steps in. And there you have it.

On the other hand, there is a small window when I can always find my cell phone, which means one of the grandkids is in residence. I can double-down. They are playing a video game on my phone. On the sunny side, at least, a few days a week,

I can find it without a lot of wandering.

In the meantime, while my short-term memory is on vacation, I am enjoying a lot of past memories. Like days on the farm or friends from as long ago as elementary school. Like Avis. Sometimes I even sporadically wonder about past beaus. You know, the ones that got away. Have you ever noticed how good it is that they are gone? Anyway, that is when I am reminded the universe gives us what we need and not always what we think we want.

Sadly, I miss friends who have died. Great pals like Mary and Sharmayne, or my dad, and my son. Luckily my short-term memory snaps me back to remind me there is a link to my passed loved ones and that is when I take a knee and pray.

Elizabeth Youngman-Westphal can be reached at [email protected]