First Memories

What is your earliest memory? How old were you?


I find it difficult to pin down those early memories; discerning actual memory from often repeated stories and well worn photographs is nearly impossible. I do have a couple of memories that must be real. No one has told me the story; no picture was taken. My best guess is, I was 3 or 4.

Friends of mine swear they have vivid memories from much younger ages.

I catch myself looking at Maya lately, wondering if this, right now, is it. Her earliest memory. Silly, idle wondering, I realize. But I'm curious. What will stick?

Lazy afternoons playing in the pool? We'll do that so much over the years, I'm sure those memories will run into one another. The same goes for Dance Party and Adventure Days, hopefully.

Maybe Maya will remember this morning, when she finally got her rhythm down and pumped the big girl swing without any help. She even refused to accept an under dog! Concentration and joy in equal measures lit up her face each time she leaned back, stretched her feet forward and said, "I'm big! Look at me! I'm a big kid."

After more than an hour, I had to bribe her inside for lunch with the promise of smoothies.


It's all I can do to keep myself from interrupting simple, happy moments in the sandbox. I'm so tempted to cup her little face in my hands and say, "remember this... this should be a stand out moment" even though the little daily rituals will almost certainly slip through the cracks.

That's fine, really. I will remind them with stories and pictures. I will help insert some of these excellent and completely unremarkable moments into their long-term memories.