--Original published at Gracie's Blog
Our memories are moments in life that we cherish or moments that we want to forget. Memories can be made with our friends and family but sometimes people remember moments that others do not. There are instances in life when we can remember specific details and exactly what happened. I can remember when I was around fours years old when my family lived at our old house. I remember digging holes in the sand and accidentally getting some in the neighbor boy’s eyes. I was frightened that I would get in trouble so I ran to my room and left him crying. I remember that I was wearing a purple Gap sweatshirt for some reason. Why do we remember certain times in our lives? I think the answer to that question is we remember how we felt at that moment. I remember feeling scared and thinking about what will happen next. We remember the times we felt happy, shocked, overwhelmed, or proud. Feelings may play a large role in what we remember and what we do not remember. For example, 9/11 and President Kennedy’s assassination caused people to feel scared, grievous, and shock. On the other hand, there are also memories from when you spent the day with friends, a result after a game with your team, things people said to you, etc.
Sometimes parents videotape their kids, and their kids may or may not remember what they were doing. Years later if the child that was videotaped watches the tape of a happy moment in their life, like a birthday party, they may remember that moment differently now that they are older. Sometimes it is hard to tell if our memories are accurate. One study that could be done is have someone record a child at certain celebrations and several years later have that child say what they remember happened at those certain instances in their life. After time it can be hard to know exactly what happened. Not every detail is remembered, like the weather, but it would be interesting to know exactly why.