Fight fear of memory loss or confusion

Call it what you like: senior moments, brain farts, dementia, beginning Alzheimers. Whatever, I know few people my age who don't joke about them publicly, but fear them privately...self included.

Take today. I'm doing this April writing challenge. Thinking I'd get ahead, I wrote Day 1 on March 31, set it aside to publish on April 1. "Good going, Gail" I told myself. Yesterday, I wrote Day 2 and published it before I went to bed. Half-asleep, I had a flash remembering I had forgotten to tag it "writing challenge" so jumped up, stumbled through the dark, made the correction and went back to sleep.

I woke up early this morning. Cor retired yesterday at 3:00 p.m. from his job as a school crossing guard. In his 92nd year, he has earned it. But new hours are hard to learn. It might take a week to retrain ourselves to sleep in. With fresh thought for another challenge day, I crept out of the bedroom and into my usual work corner in a comfortable Ikea Swedish-design bentwood chair with foot stool.

Note: Thinking is easier when you are comfortable: less distraction.

All set to write how to make your home satisfy your personal needs, I glanced up at the computer clock. Horrors! Today is only April 2, 2011. I published two Hubs on Day 1, instead of saving one for today. That is when I changed the topic to the fear of memory loss.

As a rank amateur, I've found slight memory loss to be endemic. The reasons are varied, though it is generally thought to have roots in blood flow to the brain through any number of causes. They can start at any age. I distinctly remember finding my toaster in the ice box in my thirties.

Observing myself, I find my ability to remember things is in direct relation to either stress or lack of focusing on one subject. I realize I don't remember names because I don't listen when I'm introduced to someone. Instead I'm busy with the visual aspect of the person: height, hair color, round vs. oval face, probably because I'm a painter. It's awkward; recognizing someone but having no idea of their name.

My husband kids me because when looking for something, I keep telling him, "I see it on the third shelf at the left." Usually it's there, but frequently he'll say, "Sure". I'm not always right.

At the early part of this move, when we had no idea where we were going, I lost all ability to think rationally. Memory left completely. It was as if my head were filled with soggy sawdust. I was irratable, cranky,and downright mean. Once we settled on our destination - and put money on the table - sanity began to return - (except for today's date).

Don't panic. Lapses in memory are part of being human. If you are truly worried, get a memory test, although they aren't perfect. I think doctors are more interested in "cognitive" issues. Pure memorization can be practiced. Awareness of your surroundings can't. Many times, just relaxing can cure the problem. Remember MAD magazines' Alfred E. Neumann? "What, me worry?" Practice that!