But, anyway, I thought that maybe it was about time I checked out who were on my friend suggestions page. As I slowly started to scroll through the suggestions, I began to recognize and remember an awful lot of people. But as I was about to start sending out some friend requests, a thought struck me:
Do any of these people still remember me?
I mean, I know that I remembered them, but did they still know who I was? It was a startling thought and made me pause. I couldn't help but wonder.
Now, I know that this might seem a tad sudden, but it brought back to mind something that occurred my sophomore year in high school. It was the first day of Spanish class and we were going around the room doing our introductions. What we had to do was say our name and then a word that described us that starting with the same letter (e.g Beautiful Barbra, Clever Chris, you get the idea.) It was my turn to give my introduction, but I was having some difficulties in finding a word that fit me (magnificent was taken by some kid named Matt, and there was no way I was going to bust out a word like "melancholy" or "magnanimous" in a Spanish 1 class) so I went with the next best thing:
"Hola, I'm malicious Myra."
Any one who knows me would agree that was a good pick, but la professora was not impressed with my witty word choice.
"Does anyone think they can help Myra pick out a word that fits her?"
Seriously? I didn't know the vast majority of the room so how were they suppose to find a word- beginning with M- that would fit my personality? Looking back, I can't help but roll my eyes at the shear ridiculousness of it all. She actually went through the rows, calling on other students- who had no idea who the hell I was- asking them for words. Total herp-derp moment. Well, until she reached this one boy.
This guy- we'll call him James for the sake of keeping things anonymous- I actually knew. We had first met in kindergarden and had been on-and-off playmates all throughout preschool and elementary. In the beginning of middle school we would hang out together after lunch and swap stories and rumors. In sixth grade, his parents divorced and he and his little sister ended up moving out of the district. I had really missed him, and had no idea that he now went to my high school. I mean, sure, I hadn't seen him in three years, I but still remembered him.
So when it came time for him to suggest a word, I got a little giddy. I thought that, if there was anyone-ANYONE- in this room who would be able to give this woman a word that would satisfy her, it'd be James. I even waved to him when he turned around to look at me.
But he just shrugged.
"I don't know her."
Part of me just crumbled. I even went up to him after class and asked him if he was joking. He wasn't. James, this kid I had known for almost six years of my life, had no idea who I was. In three years he'd forgotten me. I couldn't believe it and I guess part of me still can't.
I find myself wondering, now, why that is. Why is it that we remember somethings but forget others? How is it possible for us to forget a person? I still can't figure it out and part of me doubts I ever will.
I'm one who tends to lean towards the idea that I'm someone pretty hard to forget, what, with my outrageous persona and out spoken opinions. I tend to leave an impression on people. But I guess, sometimes, that isn't true.
So why are we remembered at all?
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