What is the one memory you want to NEVER forget?

Question

For me it would have to be that overwhelming sense of CONNECTEDNESS when I first held both of my daughters in my arms after they were born.

People have said that this is only hard-wiring to ensure survival of the species...the same reason that ALL babies (no matter what species) are so appealing.

I can remember looking into my daughters wee little face and thinking about all those past mothers behind me into the mists of time, and I knew each one of them had felt this same overwhelming protectiveness for blood of my blood and flesh of my flesh.

So what is the one memory that you don't every want to forget?

All of these answers are very evocative, and exactly what I was looking for when I asked this question...it is so hard to choose just one of you as Best Answer, when in reality you ALL deserve the award!

Answer 1

Dad had been ill with liver and pancreatic cancer, and time was short. But he wanted to attend his great nephew's wedding, so on a Sunday, we took him. He was too tired to go to the reception so we dropped him and Mom at home, and my husband and I went alone. That was the last time I saw him, and I want to always remember that moment. He was smiling, looking handsome in his suit, elated that he had had enough strength to get through the day.

I talked to him Tuesday afternoon and asked what he wanted me to bring him for dinner. By Tuesday night, he was gone. As bad as it feels to cry every time I remember those last 48 hours I had with him, it would feel so much worse to forget.

Answer 2

My first kiss with my current girlfriend, she's the only person I've ever been IN love with, and the first really serious relationship I've had and I'm not even that young. Basically I was doing study abroad in Europe my junior year of college, and she's European, and I had no experience dealing with those types of girls. They go faster and are generally more bold than American girls. I had no idea what her intentions were, whether she just wanted to be my friend and show me around, or if this was a date or what. I'm pretty shy when it comes to women and never ever make first moves and it usually takes me awhile to even hold a girls hand. Well a few hours into our first date, she wanted me to tell her this embarrassing story about myself and I just said, " well if I do, what do I get?" and she busts out with " hmmm, a kiss?" Well, I was terrified, but tried to play it cool. And I told the story thinking maybe she would forget after it was done, but the second I finished she goes, " So, can I get my kiss now?" We were on a public street corner and I had no idea how they dealt with this kind of thing in Europe, but I remember her saying that she and her last gf broke up because her ex was too afraid of public affection and being gay, so I knew I had to do it to prove I was different, and inside I really wanted too. So I planted a long kiss on her right in the middle of a busy British street corner. I can only wonder what all the passing by pedestrians were thinking ( Britain is a very proper sometimes boring place, that's just not something you see everyday, or even in a year on an average street haha). Even if the relationship doesn't last and we someday break up, I'll always remember this because it's the only really spontaneous thing I've ever forced myself to do involving another person, and to this day I'm glad I had the guts to do it.

Answer 3

Since I've never had children, I can't top those sweet stories, but we've all had special moments that, placed all together in a book, would make an average ho-hum life appear dramatic. Although I'm only 52, it feels like 2 lifetimes worth of adventure. A shame no kids to share it with. One that stands out was seeing my first live steam locomotive in Oregon in 1981. It was part of a fan-rail excursion that had attended the opening of the new Sacramento Railroad Museum there. I was enjoying a nice May morning in Klamath Falls with nothing particular going on, strolling near downtown, when I noticed a cloud of steam puffing up from behind the distant pine trees. What? Wait! There's a steamer coming to the station! My God! I ran like a wild man possessed and arrived just as the locomotive did. It clanged and hissed and let out a whistle that echoed across the city as automobiles screeched in off the highway to get a better look. What a treat! Southern Pacific's 4449, built Lima OH 1941, pulling some vintage passenger cars, stopped to let off a few riders and take on more water. Enormous locomotive(2-8-4, I believe). When it pulled away on it's journey back to it's home base of Portland, OR, steam blasted up 3 times it's height, the ground shook and the train rushed off faster than I thought possible-80 mph anyway! I was in heaven. Unforgettable.

Answer 4

When I flew home on a standby flight from Tokyo prior to getting out of the service. 9 and a half hour flight on a 707 with multiple bullet holes in the fusilage, a 55 year old stewardess, a broken middle seat between a marine with 30 in and an army guy with 20 in who were getting out. When we reached California the pilot flew the plane in a big circle one way and in another circle the other way so we could all see out the windows, he said here is a sight that should welcome all returnees. What we saw was 5,000 Hell's Angels going down the road. Really a neat re-affirming site that we were actually home.

Answer 5

There are so many memories that I could never forget and the birth of my two sons is very high on the list but in those days husbands were not allowed in a delivery ward, in fact my first son was born at 3,30 am and the night sister wouldn't even allow me in the Hospital at that time of the morning. The memory most etched in my mind is of my beautiful bride as she came up the aisle of the church looking so happy and radiant, it caused a stir in my chest that will stay with me for ever.I still get that special feeling when I look at her, fifty two years later.

Answer 6

A special reunion during a Christmas season, greeting my
first love at the airport when he came into view. There was
such joy on his face seeing me, and my parents coming from
behind. There should have been an embrace, but we were
in front of my parents and didn't. There wasn't any hand holding even. LOL. Those were the days when you respected
your elders and didn't show affection to someone in public.
I guess we over did it with not holding hands tho LOL. I had
met him at the airport several times, but on that one occasion
he was so elated to see me and my parents. I have never seen such joy in someones face like that since. Not even
when my husband saw our children for the first time after
they'ed just been born.

Answer 7

When I saw the question, the same thing came to my mind. The birth of my daughter, seeing those big dark eyes looking at me for the first time. I never knew you could love so deeply, until she was born. I love her more every day. She's the reason I was put on this Earth, so this lovely young lady would be born.

Answer 8

Only one memory, Iritadragon? Oh! It is very difficult to pick only one!

I don't want to go into to the details; but here is what I will share: Many years ago I didn't listen and heed what a person was telling me.....and I later felt guilty about it because the person was telling me important things about herself. The memory is with me always because it taught me two things; 1) Focus more on a person and not what has to be done, and 2) Humility is good, self-forgiveness is also good.

Answer 9

It would have to be seeing my babies for the very first time as well. My mind wonders back a lot thinking how they looked back then when they were both born. They are almost 4 years apart. I love them both more than life it's self.

Answer 10

Many, my first real kiss, my wedding day, the birth of my children, the looks on my kids when they were in love and got married, and last but not least, holding my grandchidren in my arms for the first time.