Last updated June 5 2025
Chapter 1
A memory like no other
An attribute of Marlene’s that I found most amazing was her ability to remember everything and I mean everything. She said she remembered an event at the house when she was 3 years old, and I don’t doubt it. She even remembered what someone was wearing at an event.
Examples that come to mind include what was said as a child growing up. Stories told around the dinner table some of which you’ll read about later in the “Stories Life on the Farm” chapter.
Memorization of the words to all her favourite songs such as Tiny Dancer by Elton John to her favourite Joni Mitchell song and many others.
Unfortunately, this can also have a downside as one remembers all the bad stuff as well, the hurtful words directed to her by someone would sting and be difficult to move beyond. Whether something said by a relative while growing up about her looks, at school by bullies for being raised on a farm to terrible words used by an ex-husband are but a few examples.
She would always outdo me at Jeopardy. How do you know that? I would exclaim, I don’t know was her response, I must have heard it somewhere or read about it.