Do You Have Trouble Remembering Things…Including Names?

This is not the first time I have written about this and it might not be the last.  As we get older we often blame any memory issues on that…we are simply getting older.  That may be partly true but there are other factors, one of which would be we simply have a lot on our minds.  Where did we leave the car keys, what did I do with my phone, what did I promise to pick up at the food store?  We often laugh at ourselves over these routine lapses or just as likely have to endure the teasing of others.  Make no mistake about it, this is not to be confused with the serious medical problems that many face as they get older.

I would like to believe that I fall into the category of those who have a lot on their mind which is what I use to explain the little things I forget during the course of the day.  Often my wife will leave notes for me in the morning as a reminder and that’s helpful although I sometimes put the note in my pocket and don’t see it until the end of the day.

The one thing I do find frustrating and becoming a bigger problem is putting names and faces together.  It’s not unusual for me to engage in conversation with someone who clearly knows me while I have no idea who they are.  I look for hints which sometimes will lead me in the right direction but often I walk away totally confused and perplexed.  Jane insists the proper thing to do is apologize and admit I forgot their name but I just can’t bring myself to do that so I try and bluff my way through.  I mean if the situation was reversed I would feel awful if someone who I thought should know me said, “excuse me but I don’t remember your name.”  I’d probably walk away mumbling something about what a jerk they were.

There is something else.  I guess there have been many instances in which my bluffing was obvious and the other person knew all along I forgot who they were.  I wonder what they mumbled when walking away.

Oh well…now where is my phone?