Sunday, July 29, 2007

Maja begins to remember


Yesterday was our daughter Maja's 4th birthday party. We had about a dozen kids in the backyard and the house is now filled with more toys, games and junk food than we know what to do with. To me, this is a really significant birthday, because my first memory is of turning 4. I remember I was running down a dirt path in my bare feet, heading away from our family's house, which was located smack dab in the middle of the boonies. I just remember the packed brown soil under my feet, and running as fast as I could, and thinking, very proudly, "I'm four, I'm four, I'm four." I have kept this memory for over 30 years now, and I have always thought of it as my first memory. At this point however, it is impossible to separate what part of it is a real memory from what might have been made up in my mind over the years. In any case, whether the image in my head is real or imagined, I am certain the gist of it was real.
So, now my daughter is 4. I think it's time to assume that anything from this point on, she's likely to remember for the rest of her life. Even something as insignificant as running down a dirt path, or throwing a water balloon at her Dad.