Dear Journal,
I often run into people I don’t expect to run into, or in places I don’t expect to see them, and that’s okay, but it also means I have to shift my mindset, that I have to access those memories in which those people reside. Otherwise I’m left standing there going, “Um” until they leave again probably thinking I’m a big idiot or thinking that I don’t remember them. When that’s never the case (either one, I hope), and I’m just trying to play catchup with my own brain.
Today was no different as I saw no fewer than five people I know at work, but with most of them my brain was just a tad bit too slow making the connections and getting my mouth to form the words that show remembrance. And of course each time I was embarrassed, but they were cool with it. It made me think of how everyone is that way at one time or another. We have frames of reference for people and places, and those people go with those places, so when we see them outside of those places it stretches our memories thin.
Eventually I got up to speed, though, and for the last couple of people my brain was ready with the information, like their name, where I know them from, how long it’s been since I’ve seen them. It was all clicking, and those are the moments when I feel really good about myself. If only I could have warmed my brain up earlier like a computer, or the hot water knob at the kitchen sink. Luckily these things are universal, or maybe it’s just getting older that’s starting to catch up with me. I somehow remember being better, and faster, at this sort of thing, not needing any warm up time.
But regardless, it’s still always nice to run into people I know, as long as they don’t have those blank faces that show their brains haven’t quite placed me yet. How ironic is that sometimes?
Sam
Sam's Online Journal 