Remember: One Mother's Thoughts on Forgetting the Early Years with Her Children

"You're not going to remember any of it anyway," was what she said. I felt like she had just socked me in the stomach. I hadn't really thought about it before, but forgetting makes perfect sense. I do it all the time.

But this? I'm not going to remember this?
I guess she would know, she's been through it.

The sleepless nights, the loads of diapers and laundry, the tantrums, the baths, the food flung across the floor. Those are the things she was referring to, saying I'd forget all of that. She was meaning to encourage me. And yes, I don't really mind that I'll forget all of that. I will enjoy my hindsight rose colored glasses when they arrive years from now.

But I would gladly remember all of the stress and strain, fatigue and frustration vividly if it meant I would remember all the rest just the same.

Because it makes me sad to realize that I'm also bound to forget the beauty of these years. That fresh out of the bath smell. That toothy grin. The way Miles says 'careful' about five different ways, all of them hilarious. The wiggle of Asher's shoulders as he does a little dance. The pudgy little fingers holding tight to that blankie. Those pouty little lips. That laugh. Oh, that laugh from the gut that surrounds me and makes me feel hugged. I will miss that. I don't want to forget.

She said that even though she had pictures and videos, it wasn't the same. She still couldn't remember on her own. The pictures were reminders, but not experiences. The videos seemed to be of a child she no longer knows, because she can't remember.

I suppose it's like my own childhood memories, vague and a bit fuzzy around the edges. Some more vivid, but always fleeting. Like a dream you wake up from and try to get back to by quickly closing your eyes and willing yourself to remember. Most of the time you can't. I suppose it's like that.

I wish I was going to be able to remember it all. Miles and I running through puddles in a downpour at the farmer's market, splashing and laughing. Miles a little unsure at first, then looking at me, reading my face and relaxing, letting himself have fun in the rain. His drenched hair and wide eyes. The slap-slap-slap of his shoes as he ran. The smell of rain, herbs and flowers in the air as I listened to the thunder and my son's laughter. Oh, how I want to remember.

"You're not going to remember it anyway."I thought about forgetting so much after this conversation. I thought my heart would break at the realization that I'm going to forget.

Then I thought about the future, and I pictured myself sitting there trying to remember. I imagined it and realized that the mom in that picture of my mind wasn't sad. This Future Me wasn't sad. Because these two boys were still there, making new memories with me. They were 6 and 8, or 16 and 18. They were 30 and 32. And I imagined how I will still be there, wanting to eat up every moment, pouring my love on them and watching their lives.

Even if I'm not going to remember it all, I want to live it all. There's not a thing, good or bad, I want to miss.

Maybe I'll be blessed with a good memory in this regard, maybe I won't. But that will not stop me from living fully aware of the details and fine lines, the tones and the under-tones, the expressions and vivid moments full of life and laughter. The scrunched up nose and crocodile tears. The look in their eyes while they make new discoveries. The feel of their skin. The sound of their voices. Right now. Today.

I am living what I might forget. But I am still going to live it. As long as they are mine to hold in this life, I will live it with them. That makes all the sad thoughts of forgetting turn to happy thoughts of living, eyes turned toward today rather than yesterday. And a heart filled with joy in the expectancy of tomorrow.

But that doesn't mean I can't hope that I'll remember.