The best thing about spelling bees is there’s
a right answer and a wrong one. There’s
no in between, no grey area: you either know or you don’t. Me?
I’m blessed with a better than average memory and that is why I’ve
always been good at spelling. I found it
very helpful even when learning other languages.
In the real estate business, it was a big
asset. I remembered what people told me
and the information about themselves, their families and properties. Now that I no longer work outside my home,
memories often pop up and many are from childhood. One leads to the next and I realize how
unusual it is to remember all the names and details because I am often asked
how I can recall things from long ago and far away.
Frankly, I have no idea how or why. In large part, I believe, it may come down to
being observant and interested in people, places and things more than a
personal goal or agenda. It isn’t
inherently the better way but it happens to be mine. Learning about people fascinated me from a
very young age and I continue to be amazed by my fellows.
Yes, I can spell well and love to use my dictionaries because I respect
words and language.
When you have a photographic memory ,you
spend a lot of time flipping through the past like an album in your brain. There are images you are glad to keep with
you always and some you would give anything to forget but I’ve found it is
important to embrace all of them: good, not-so-good, mixed and
regrettable. We all have an Achille’s
heel. Nobody should forget that.
The day I came to recognize mine was the
turning point. In that moment, I
realized that something changed: It was my direction. Instead of being an actor, I became the
director and my first directive was “Cut.”
One by one, over time, new roads and paths opened up before me and I
walked away from the rut seeking to devour me.
Looking back, I skipped over the “lost years” to remember the child I
once was - filled with such wonder and perfect light. It is my good fortune to still have at my
disposal many photographs and keepsakes to assist me as I recall the moments
leading up to the present one.
Many questions may remain unanswered and life
will continue to be mysterious, as are all miracles, but now I regard this as
my destiny. Sometimes as I wash dishes,
shower or perform a similar task a slide pops into my invisible viewfinder and
I see a scene from long ago and it puzzles me as I stretch out to grab it by
the hands of time and apprehend the delicious flavor, sweet aroma even the
sting of pain that is now just a faint mist.
In moment’s like these I lift up my head and my hands in thanks!
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