Bill's Notes

I'm sure if my memory improved I would remember more of my failings. A photographic memory would probably be like watch a personal blooper loop. A replay of humiliating moments. I'd probably develop a split personality taking on the persona of Lewis Black critiquing my flawed decision making. So, I'm not sure that a memory that I could grep would be a good thing.

No. Better that I go along forgetting the past and reshaping my failures as misfortune and my just getting by as a confirmation of my glory.

I would, however, like to be better about remembering names. I particularly suck at names. That hampers my life.

SuperG: I'm reminded of a Carol Lay "Story Minute" cartoon where this woman who made a lot of mistakes and learned her lessons has her memory erased so she can live with her accumulated wisdom but without the regret of the past.

After her memory's erased, she proceeds to go out and make all the same mistakes ...

But you make a good point that some memory fading is a good thing. I certainly want to remember everything. However ... off topic and making a new point here ...

I believe one element of judgment in the afterlife will be perfect memory with no capacity for rationalization or self-deception, and that memory will include not only how we felt, but how others' felt as a result of our words and behavior, and even how that impacted how that person loved or hurt others.

That's why I believe we need a savior -- for that moment. Because in the presence of a loving, forgiving, merciful God, we can get through that experience -- and only with Him there. And I think that moment, in which God heals all that pain through reconciliation of all (willing) to each other and to Him, is as good a definition of purgatory as I can think of.

Boy, I just got serious for a post that started out light-hearted.

*****

Jim: Wasn't you, but thanks for the thought :)