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Author Topic: How clear is your memory of childhood?  (Read 2445 times)

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Offline Carissima

How clear is your memory of childhood?
« on: April 29, 2022, 12:35:23 AM »
I have often wondered why my memories of being little are so sparse. 
A moment or two from age 2-5, a few more from 8-12, several more 15 -18, but still not much stands out. Memories of daily life are practically non-existent, some years missing completely, and that has been as long as I can remember being an adult (I am in my 40’s now) 
I never understood why it was this way, especially knowing that my 21 year old son has such a vivid memory of his childhood. He can recall the smallest details from some memories from age 2 and up. I watch my younger children growing up and wonder if they’ll remember daily life like their brother, or forget it all like me. 

Funny I can remember the lyrics to old songs I listened to as a child, but time spent with friends and family I wish I had retained more of it. 

I am wondering if there are others here willing to share their thoughts on, or experience with this?

Have any of the Saints ever touched on this subject?

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Offline DigitalLogos

Re: How clear is your memory of childhood?
« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2022, 01:14:55 AM »
People have different capabilities for recollection. You just may not have such an aptitude, that's all. Nothing I would worry about, it can be a blessing and a curse.
I personally have an extremely good memory, but it can also torment me given that I was not Catholic until I was 27, therefore, I can recollect many of the horrible sins I've committed in my past life vividly. Which Satan certainly uses to tempt me in thought very often. But also blesses me with an example of how not to act in my new life of grace.

As for the Catholic understanding of memory, there's a whole section in the Catholic Encyclopedia on the subject, with distinctions between intellectual and sensible memory
https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10174a.htm

St. Thomas Aquinas and Augustine both extensively examined the idea of memory, with Augustine tending toward a more Platonic form of reminiscence.
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Offline Nadir

Re: How clear is your memory of childhood?
« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2022, 01:33:39 AM »
I can remember specific events, but I would not be able to divide them into time blocks as you have. And I wouldn’t be able to date them. I think the earliest event which I can remember was when I was 3. 

Whereas my husbands recall of events really amazes me, and I think that’s because he grew up in war time Italy, when the German’s took over and shared their home and patisserie. Later he also had some bad experiences, whereas I had none at all.

He grew up in an unhappy home, whereas my home was a happy and holy place. 
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Offline 2Vermont

Re: How clear is your memory of childhood?
« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2022, 04:44:11 AM »
This is interesting.  In my experience, men remember a lot more from their past than women.    
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Offline Carissima

Re: How clear is your memory of childhood?
« Reply #4 on: April 29, 2022, 06:49:34 AM »
Quote from: 2Vermont on April 29, 2022, 04:44:11 AM
This is interesting.  In my experience, men remember a lot more from their past than women.   
Interesting you say this, I have experienced the same. My husband remembers places we’ve visited together when we were younger, and I have no recollection we were even there. 
I have an uncle with a photographic memory, and brother who also can remember the finest details of us growing up. 


The women in my life who are mothers have a term they sometimes use to refer to themselves as having ‘mom brain’, because they forget so many important things in their day to day life concerning the management of the house and children’s activities. 
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