I have a terrible memory… sorta. It’s kind of a weird phenomenon. I can memorize a speech, be prepared for a class, and learn the quotes from many different forms of media, but… I really can’t remember things from years and years in the past.
It’s the strangest thing. Everyone I know can tell stories about when they were ten. I struggle to tell stories of when I was fourteen. I hold on to tiny memories here and there, but I just can’t remember things from the far past. I have a theory that it has to do with a car accident that I was in when I was young, but who knows for sure? It’s get pretty extreme. For example, I can’t remember what the house that I grew up in looked like. Our first house. Our second house, I remember quite well. But the first house, I think we lived in that from around when I was born to when I turned eight or ten… I’ve got nothing.
Even more recent memories are a bit fuzzy. But there are a few things that I remember clearly… my mistakes. This will probably be used for a sermon illustration at some point. I remember my mistakes so vividly. Any time where I felt foolish sticks so incredibly hard. They burn in my mind.
So, I thought I’d put that thought process to the test a bit. I’ll just throw out random categories and list the top three things that I remember about them- actual event, not just feelings. Some of them will even be more recent than others. Let’s see if I can remember any good things. So, here are the categories, in the order that I think of them…
My Term as State Master Councilor of Ohio DeMolay
- State Nasty Day. We had a state event that included shaving cream fights, egg tosses, and slip and slides. We about wore ourselves out in the pool.
- Creating Steven’s “State Band Aid” jewel. It was made of paperclips, a Band Aid, and my pin.
- Locking my keys in my car in Xenia during a state event.
Eh, that wasn’t so bad. Of course, that was only five-six years ago. I think.
Elementary School
- Bringing my toy Megazord to Kindergarten. Everybody wanted to play with it.
- Fighting with my bus driver when I was one of the oldest kids on the bus. Historically, the older kids had the privilege of sitting in the back. 2nd graders stole it from us, and our new bus driver wouldn’t let us have it back.
- Practicing counting as high as I could. I was in 1st grade, I think. I came hold and told my dad I could count to some high number. He said, “Why can’t you count higher?” He meant well. If you can count to 125, why can’t you count to 126? But it stuck with me.
Well… I’m not really sure why I remember Kindergarten. But those are genuinely the only three memories I have from Elementary School. And that last one only barely counts as school. That was mostly a home thing.
Early Interactions with Biological Father
- Buying a light for my gameboy so that I could see during the rides to and from Cincinnati.
- Being chased by my father’s roommate’s dog, a Doberman Pinscher.
- Playing with a Mario Kart toy on the way into his apartment.
That was kinda weird. I don’t really remember interacting with my father. He came into my life when I was ten, I believe. Eventually, he moved closer to home, rather than being two hours away in Cincinnati.
Early Interactions with Family
- Kicking my uncle David in his personal area when he wouldn’t put me down. I didn’t like him.
- Playing Soul Calibur 2 with my dad (step-dad).
- Hitting my cousin David with a Power Ranger doll.
Well, apparently people named David shouldn’t hang around with me. I’m glad that Soul Calibur memory stuck.
Middle School Life
- My English teacher being mad at the whole class, calling our behavior asinine. I raised my hand and asked her what that meant. I was kind of a nerd.
- Writing “I hate Jennifer Miller” over and over again on my folder. We had just fought, like we always did. The teacher was very concerned.
- Getting in trouble with my home education professor. I called a student, the resident bully, stupid. She asked me if I really thought I was smarter than he was. I said, “of course.” She proceeded to lecture me about valuing others.
I hated middle school. I could write a few more memories down, such as falling on my face as I ran home from Graeter’s during our school trip, or learning that I had lost most of my friends. I was an annoying punk. And I have so many regrets there.
Early DeMolay Life
- Playing Counter-Strike using Dad McBride’s computers. One of the guys used the username “S3p1R0th”. He was good.
- Wanting to leave Steam Thrashers. My dad asked me if I had made a commitment. I said yes. He made me stay.
- Dad B handing me a ritual when I said that I wasn’t sure if I could do a part. I resolved to never be handed a ritual again.
That second one sticks to me pretty bad. I always hated disappointing my dad.
Middle DeMolay Life
- My first argument with Nick. We were at a baseball game. It was about my sister taking home food because she was the Sweetheart of the chapter. I was very sad that day.
- Craig Loose and Eric Small stopping over at my house after a DeMolay event. I threw out freezer burnt ice cream. Craig thought it was very silly. I felt like an idiot.
- Dad C visiting my first meeting as Master Councilor. I was nervous. I asked him to excuse the shaky ritual because it was my first meeting as the head guy. He asked me how long I knew I was going to be MC. The answer was years (the officers move up in line).
Man… that’s pretty sad stuff there. It’s categories like this that makes me feel like I can only remember bad stuff. The second one is especially on point. Why would I remember the ice cream, of all things? I always hated feeling like an idiot.
Shenanigans at My Father’s House
- Playing Battle For Middle-Earth for hours on end, then high-fiving.
- Airsoft. Particularly the time where we played out in construction zones and dropped all the BBs.
- Playing Halo 3 with Adam and Michael. We had a mic and said stupid things online. Well, they did. We had two controllers and one mic. I always played, they switched off between the two things.
I have good memories from this. The list goes on. Fun times with mattresses, especially when Andrew got hurt is the first that comes to mind. I also remember when Taytay didn’t like BFME or when I got in a literal fight with Spencer. Good stuff sticks the most here!
Other Father Memories
- Asking my father to meet me at Meijer so we could by a boy band album. I felt really foolish afterward. I had just seen a commercial, and like a spoiled brat, I wanted him to meet me. The album was “meh” and I knew I was a jerk as soon as we were done.
- My final movie with my father. I don’t remember what it was. I just remember that it was at Easton. I remember the drive home. He was gone.
- My father teaching me his “Open-Door Policy” in BFME, where he would leave the gate open so that he could funnel enemies in and get more experience.
Eh.. I don’t have much to say about this one.
Early State Officer Leadership in DeMolay
- Dad W pitting Nick and me against each other during an State Officer’s meeting. We were already at a point where we didn’t get along, but I remember Dad W basically pushing a point that Nick and I disagreed about.
- Being denied the opportunity to run for State Junior Councilor by Dad R. We had a terrible meeting. Brian H had to save me.
- My car’s gas pedal being stuck on the “floor it” position. I narrowly escaped with everything intact.
Nick, if you’re reading this, I’m sorry, bro. On the other side, it’s strange that I didn’t have a fun memory come to mind about being a State Officer. There are some. I loved it. Hm… Let’s try arranging these by early memories of a couple friends. That ought to lighten things up.
Early Memories of Steven
- Meeting him at the DeMolay event at the YMCA. He was pretty shy. There was a ton of fog that day.
- Watching Psych the Musical together for the first time. We had so much fun.
- Playing Guardians of Middle-Earth as “Team Quiver.”
Well, those were three weird memories that first came to mind. Steven, if you’re reading this, what are the first three for you?
Early Memories of Michael Tony
- Getting in a literal fight with Michael when I first met him.
- Michael sitting on my back porch with friend drama.
- Michael shoveling mulch for my family when I was in crutches.
Well… my friendship with Michael was always volatile. But he was always there for me.
Early Memories of the Xenia Guys (Tyler, Greg, Eric, Ryan, Etc.)
- Coming up with the game of “Inspirational Ping Pong.”
- Playing Volleyball at Casa De Cope.
- Failing to get all the footage for one of our super hero fights, located at the fireman’s training station.
Love you guys.
Term as Deputy State Master Councilor of Ohio DeMolay
- Dad Scott being incredibly supportive with the planning committee of the SMC term.
- Having stupid fights about travel reports and articles for the “E-Connection”. So much regret there.
- Playing Ultimate Alliance 2 at JLowe’s house and Bob smashing things.
Honestly, that term was more stressful than not. But I’m glad I remember a few fun things.
Well, this list is getting a bit long. Let’s try to finish it up with one final category.
Memories of Ritual Competitions
- Driving home from Heartland with all the medals dangling from our necks. We stopped at Steak N Shake.
- Esteban and Aaron fighting so much that Dad H was at his wits end.
- Helping Dad H organize and prepare the teams. Our friendship grew tons through this.
Everything has its goods and bads, I suppose.
Conclusion
I did a lot of DeMolay thoughts for this one, mostly for the enjoyment of any DeMolays that may be reading this. Those are a bit more present than others. I still find it strange how small events where I failed stick to me so clearly, even when I can’t remember anything else. I can’t seem to let things go, I suppose.
Praise be to God that He forgives and forgets the events in our lives that we hold the most regret over. So even when I can’t forget my immature and foolish behavior in middle-school, I know that he does.
Anyway, what did you guys think? Are there other categories that you’d like to see my top three memories from? To clarify, these are the first three things I thought of, not the best three. If you think about it, send me a message or a comment with the category. I’ll respond with the memories.
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