Memory and identity
Katie van Schaijik | Jan 10, 2012 | 2 cmts
Facebook friend, Patrick, links today a beautiful and moving reflection about growing older, by Fr. Patrick Hannon. It's funny and thoughtful and deeply human. Also personalistic. He writes about his fear of losing his memory, which he supposes would be like losing his self.
Memories allow me to believe — humbly, fervently — that I am in no small way important, that my little life has meaning, that I am part of a grand story, that I am an actor — leading, supporting or otherwise — on an impressive stage. Memories, these enduring imprints of faces and places and fragrances and melodies and textures and tastes, stand prepared to remind us that we are human persons, each of us with a compelling story to tell. And yet I have this gnawing feeling that I have sprung a leak and that slowly, one by one, my memories are dripping out of me. First I forget names, then places, then faces, then myself. I shudder at the thought.
Do yourself the favor of reading the whole thing.
Comments (2)
Jules van Schaijik
Jan 10, 2012 8:24pm
Beautiful story.
I wonder about my own loss (or lack) of memory sometimes. Often it is a just an inconvenience or an embarrassment. But sometimes, as when I try to recall and relate my childhood, teenage years, or courtship days, I experience it more like a loss of self.
Sometimes I also wonder how much of it is my own responsibility. Would I remember more, and remember more clearly, if I lived a better, more deliberate and reflective life? I'm afraid so.
Jules van Schaijik
Jan 10, 2012 8:38pm
The article also brought to mind the quote that Rick Santorum used the other day, in his Iowa speech, to thank and pay tribute to his wife: