Pradhi, Week 13 - Uncertainty In Memory
Memory. It lives on and on in our heads, and yet, for some situations, it is in our absence, too.
What would be my earliest memory?
I'd say I pretty much can't remember much about what happened until I was about two or three, sitting on the dinner table with my family and eating, playing with toys and running around with my brother.
But what's the most important memory?
Maybe it's the first time I remember going to India, going to my ancestral home when both my paternal grandparents were still alive. Maybe it's the time I rode on the back of my grandfather's moped as he drove me around my dad's hometown. Maybe it's the time my brother and I swung around on my grandmother's beautiful old swing layered with embroidered cushions. Maybe it's all the times I traveled to Disneyland with my family, basking in the childishness that was limitless and full of imagination. Maybe it's the time I spent living in Singapore for a year, gaining new experiences and friends, and living through the best moments of my life indescribably, in my favorite city in the world. Maybe it's the time I roamed all over New York City with my cousins on foot, exploring every corner. Maybe it's the time I spent in quarantine focusing on myself and making new friends. Maybe it's all the times I've had meaningful conversations with my mom. All the times I've laughed with my dad. All the times I've argued with my brother (and won). Maybe it's none of that at all.
Or maybe, it's all of it combined. Maybe every single memory I've had has led up to this moment. Although I can't say for sure which is my favorite memory, one thing I can say is from time to time, I'll definitely look back at these memories, in hopes that they'll give me the ability to make many, many more.
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Hi Pradhi! I really liked how you listed many memories that have together, made your life what it is, and I particularly resonate with your belief that "every single memory [you've] had has led up to this moment." I'm definitely a believer in the notion that everything happens for a reason. I think that all the memories we have in life, whether we consider them a "good" memory or a "bad" memory, shapes our identities, values, and mindsets as people. While it's definitely possible to have a favorite memory, I like the idea you bring up about not having one or not being able to pinpoint a certain one. Each moment in life contributes to the growth of us as individuals in its own way and can be appreciated because of that. Thank you for your blog!
ReplyDeleteHi Pradhi! Your blog about exploring your most important memory was interesting and engaging. I liked how you used a similar sentence structure to walk the reader through your life and highlight some of your most memorable moments. Your use of the phrase “maybe it's the time” shows that you have an abundant amount of important events throughout your life. Your conclusion was also heartwarming and it nicely wrapped the blog up for the audience.
ReplyDeleteThe memories that you mentioned in your body paragraphs about your trips to India and memories of you riding on your grandfather's moped are moments that I can also relate to. Your vivid descriptions made me remember my own experiences in India. Similarly you touched one meaningful conversation with your parents and touched on memories during quarantine. It is very clever to add these more general memories because they are extremely reliable. This allows the reader to connect with you and understand the point of the blog easily.
Overall, your blog is extremely well written and thought provoking! I hope to read more from you next week!
I think our memories say a lot about us, and I enjoyed reading this blog in which you detailed some of your most important memories and having the opportunity to understand you better. I especially liked how, after you gave a long list of memories that have been significant to you at some point in your life, you concluded with the message that it is not just one memory that can be important to one’s life. It is the collection of memories and how they complement each other that gives meaning to your life. For example, your memory of going to your ancestral home in India provides you with a sense of identity, as it represents the traditions you follow, your beliefs, and your background. On the other hand, spending time in Singapore, in your favorite city of the world, gave you a new perspective on life. As a person who has lived in Fremont their whole life, I have not gotten the opportunity to understand much of what life is in other parts of the world, so I see why this memory is important to you. Overall, I appreciated understanding your perspective on memory and how your memories have collectively shaped you as a person.
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