Think hard…….what is your earliest memory and how old were you?

Having a grandson that is three plus years old (with another one in the bullpen), although we want to establish a good moral foundation and security, is there a reason to try and create memories for anyone at that age?   It made me think; What is my earliest memory in my life and how old was I?

My older sister or brother may be able to add details or timing of this event, but the following is the very first thing in my life that I can remember.  My photographic brain had nothing but ruined negatives until then.

It was during a warm summer afternoon day, playing underneath our garage in an unofficial sandbox.   We lived off a main throughway in a town that would eventually be classified as extreme suburban sprawl in the future.  My Dad came home from work, parked his car in said garage and proceeded to tell me he just buried our family dog.  He then proceeded to walk into the house.  Not knowing fully what “Buried” meant (I was only 4 and burying things in my sandbox), I immediately started calling “Kings” name to find out the meaning of buried (I knew what a dog was) .  Of course, King never answered.  So, the portion of one’s life committed to memory had just begun for me.  Buried obviously meant don’t answer!   I don’t know why this is the earliest memory I can recall. Maybe because it can be classified as a traumatic moment (which I think we’re supposed to remember).  This event has been tagged #1 in my chronological brain folder.  To this day, I want to bury the telephone when it rings!

Through life, there are not only consequences to all of one’s decisions, but there could be unconscious, deeper reasons for making some decisions.  King’s decision was that he liked to chase cars on busy streets.  My decision (unbeknownst to me) was that my kids will never live near a busy road as they grow up.  Now I remember “Why”!

So, should I classify this as a “Bad” memory for the loss of a good dog or a “Good” memory because of actual results my family had later in life?  Ironically, the kids also do not like to chase cars, but I attribute that outcome and decision to King!

Up to what age do you have childhood amnesia?
What is your first memory?  If you’re parents are still alive, ask them about your memory.  If a parent, ask your kids their first memory.