WHAT MEMORIES DO FOR US

Lately, as I was packing many of my loose photographs, I took a little walk down memory lane. To be honest I was bombarded by memories. It’s said that we don’t remember days; we remember moments, a painting, a new car, a puppy or even a house.

Simeon Stav as a weanling with his sire Asfour.

What about the thrilling moment when you said ‘yes’ to the purchase a special horse? For us there were several moments associated with horses that managed to actually change your life?
When I picked up the images of Simeon Stav as a weanling my fingers literally tingled. And another of baby Stav with his sire *Asfour. These memories became fused with the choices and the sacrifices made to be able to purchase this special youngster. Sure, we weren’t strangers to big decisions. In the middle 1970’s we lived in a caravan for three years when we paid off our first purebred Arabian. (at the time our name went on a list) All this happened while on a working holiday around Australia.

Simeon Stav as a weanling the day he was purchased.

Include the later memories of living with Simeon Stav for twenty-five years, the classic foals he sired and friendship’s made with like-minded people and suddenly the reminiscences began to resemble a movie-length voyage of reminiscences. I say voyage because just like breeding horses it represents something that is ongoing and at some stage you have to personally decide, for whatever reason, the time to drop anchor and cease the activity.
At present, my life is full of new challenges. Amongst all the chaos I realised that I have somehow reached the age when one constantly shares stories about the past. And during these times there’s usually lots of eye-rolling, laughter and nostalgia as memories are shared.

Simeon Stav as a mature stallion.

When I write, I often look back at all the influences of my life. It’s exciting to relive the conjured emotions of memories. They can confuse you and sometimes puzzle you. They can even bring happy or sad tears. But best of all they can often leave you breathless and so caught up in the past, you cease to be in the present.

Haruki Murakami said, “… no matter how much time passes, no matter what takes place in the interim, there are some things we can never assign to oblivion, memories we can never rub away. They remain with us forever, like a touchstone.”

What’s the saying, “Life is short – you only live once.” I know from experience; memories can assist in learning from past mistakes, in a sense they can shape one’s life.
I feel everyone should make a new shared memory to remember and reminisce about later in life. Why not work out a way to do the things you’ve always wanted to try.
Definitely, do the things you love. TALK to new people. Keep in touch with old ones. Mend broken relationships. Most of all never forget that other people’s memories OF YOU are one of the only memories you leave behind when you’re gone.