This could be a web-wide project or experiment to document and record the earliest memories of anyone who takes part regardless of language, culture or creed. Curious?
I thought that one way of shedding some interesting light on the human condition across the globe would be to ask people to describe their earliest memory or memories (let’s restrict it to a couple). We might be limited to English language memories and that would not be in the spirit of this experiment. To overcome this, please feel free to start your own ‘memory bank’ project in any language and from whatever culture you belong to. Maybe someone smarter than me will find a way of creating a portal site to gather all the memories together; categorise them in some way and then find some really smart people to offer comment and interpretation. I am happy to start:
Name: David Callinan: Origin: Ireland: Domiciled now – UK: Occupation: writer
I am tiny and sitting on my mother’s knee. She had just breast fed me I think but I cannot be sure. She places me in a tin bath in the tiny room (I now recall was our dining room cum kitchen). There is a strange light flickering (now known to be a gaslight). My mother washes me and she sings. The sound of her voice and the magical tune bring me immense happiness.
Hi Mr C. Rob Benson here. My earliest memory was when I was in hospital (I was two) after getting some lemon meringue pie stuck in my throat. I was stood up in my cot looking out from a St. James’ hospital window down a side road. I remember vividly a policeman on a horse just wondering up and down the road. I also remember that it was 6:15 in the evening and a fog was coming in. After telling my parents this, they triggered off other parts of this memory. I remember wearing red corduroy flares (this was 1978) and my cot’s décor were brown, yellow and orange flowers.
My earliest memory that I can say is mine for sure. And not one implanted from reminiscing old folk, is getting my nappy changed.
My father used to sing to my sister and I in the bath. I have may memories of those moments. After our baths we were dried and dressed for bed in our rooms. I remember dad pulling me up by my feet to put a new nappy on and then pulling my hooded, red, knitted dressing gown over my head. Just snippets of foggy visions.
Why can’t people remember things more clearly? Is it a waste of brains cells? If so why do we only use 1/4 of them?
Whether I have genuine memories of my early childhood or have just drawn pictures with my mind based on the recollections of other people, I cannot say for sure. I do remember being tricked by my brother into drinking wee from an egg cup when I was very young. I also recall screaming blue murder at my nannies when my mam had the audacity to leave me there whilst she popped out son number six!
marching around simms cross infants school playground widnes circa 1954 waving our union jacks on empire day wondering what it was all about
angry so angry with me mam for making me wear a horrible corduroy cap in front of my mate verdun berry
I think one of my earliest memories is sitting on a little red seat attached to the pram that Toby was in…he must have still been a little baby as he was lying down. I think I had red wellies on sat on the top of the pram thinking I was queen of the castle being pushed around everywhere!!
Hi Grandpa, although I am still only 4 months old, my best memory at the moment is meeting everyone when I was born in a lovely yellow dress my daddy bought me to wear xxx
[...] why not dig into your memories and take part in YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY project. Feel free to spread it around the [...]
my first memory is when my head popped out of …