After I finished the manuscript for me, myself and my life, I read about two people with a condition called hyperthymesia (overdeveloped memory). I was intrigued because I knew nothing about the condition, and I was interested in learning more about how memory works. People with hyperthymesia can remember every day of their lives (each back to a specific day as a child). Ask them a question, any question, like what they had for dinner on January 5, 1989, and they could probably tell you, as well as who they had dinner with, where they were, and what was on TV at the time. The thought of hyperthymesia is exciting because you can call up any specific event in your mind and relive it.
But after reading further, I understood how hyperthymesia could be a blessing and a curse. Maybe there are memories one would rather not remember, as in the case of Jill Price (her memoir is out now). On the other hand, there's Brad Williams who seems to have fun with it (there's a documentary about him coming out soon). Which left me to wonder: What would it be like to remember every day of my life? I don't need to think too much about it. Just tell me where I sign up.
But not everyone can remember details from the past like what they had for dinner and what was on TV, let alone major life events.
I had an all-American childhood with good memories of birthday parties, family vacations, and soccer games. But some things I can't remember, which luckily my close friend, Gina, can fill me in on. (Gina has one of those super memories; she remembers not only her own life in great detail but those of her friends.) I also have photo albums I can look at if I want to go back to a time to when life was simpler.
But that isn't enough for me. I want to document my memories while they're still clear in my head. So I started by creating a book that would allow someone to document childhood memories. But not wanting to stop there, I thought why not have one location where one could document not only childhood memories, but that person's entire life journey. That's when me, myself and my life was born.
I continue to document my life with photos, videos, and using my life book. I only wish I had started sooner.
Q from page #185 in me, myself and
my life: If you could leave advice for
the world after you're gone, what would it be?
Sandra: Document everything in your life with photos, videos, diaries,
and your life book, me, myself and my life. One day, I
promise, you'll be glad you did.
Sandra Graves
Learn more about hyperthymesia