Childhood Memories

     Just got back from class and I can't help but dwell on our discussion of memories from our childhood standing out over everyday activities.  This made me think about what memories I have from my childhood before age 5.  The answer: not many and those I do have don't seem special enough to have lasted in my memories.  I have decided to further examine these memories to figure out just WHY I remember them.

     This first one is easy:  I distinctly remember going to the tennis courts with my family to watch my mom play.  Long story short, my brother ended up running into a fence and then face-planting on asphalt.  The resulting injury involved a lot of blood and a trip to the hospital for some stitches in his forehead.  This clearly stands out as a traumatic event and one that did not occur often and so was  new experience.

     Now they get trickier.  I have flashes of favorite toys and friends but nothing truly outstanding.  I remember very little of my first house (we moved when I was about 3).  The only memory I have from that first house is sitting at the counter eating peaches in cream with my mother and grandfather.  I honestly have no clue why I remember this.  At all.  Perhaps I was exceptionally happy?  Maybe the peaches were delicious (however, I don't remember any taste).  This part of my life is a total enigma to me.

     The only other distinct memory I can think of right now is going to a friend's house when I was about 4.  The house was around the corner from mine and was the home of my older brother's best friend.  He had a younger brother my age so I (annoyingly I'm sure) tagged along to go hang out.  In their living room I found an adorable little dalmatian stuffed toy with a blue collar and a dark patch around his eye.  At the end of the day, the younger brother gave me this stuffed animal to keep since I was so in love with it.  Again, I'm not sure why I remember this specific event.  Getting presents wasn't terribly new (thanks to Christmas, birthdays, etc.)  Maybe it's because this was the first present a boy randomly gave me.  It could also help that his same boy is now my boyfriend some 15 years later (small world eh?).

     Regardless,  I am still stuck pondering why my mind elected to save these memories and not others.  As we discussed, everything was new and exciting at such a young age...so what made these memories extra special?  Do these influence what I will select to remember in my future?  Only time will tell.