OPINION: The past pops up at the strangest times

FOLKS we’ve all experienced things that we’re deeply, deeply ashamed about… and that’s all I’d like to say about that for now.

Columnist Greg Bray. Picture: Brenda Strong

FOLKS we've all experienced things that we're deeply, deeply ashamed about… and that's all I'd like to say about that for now.

Actually, I mention it because last weekend I was standing on the back deck surveying the kingdom that the bank is letting us pay off, the steak was on the barbecue, the lawn freshly mowed, and a cold beer was in my hand. Therefore, Life = Fantastic.

Then for some reason, my brain chose that particular moment to remind me of the time nearly 30 years ago when I dived into the pool during a school swimming carnival and my togs fell off.

As I cringed at this horrible memory, a cloud went over the sun, the dogs scuttled for cover and suddenly, Life = Ashamed.

Of course, with digital clarity, I also recalled how a grinning teacher held my wayward togs up for the whole school to laugh at, while I clung to the side of the pool like an embarrassed starfish.

Since that fateful day, I have always tied my togs so tightly that my legs usually turn purple before I've entered the water.

It's something we all have in common, recalling random rotten memories that is; I don't imagine all of you have suffered from a life-changing, very public, swimming pool tog malfunction. But for those of you who have, trust me, I feel your pain.

I don't know why our brains do this to us. Spite? Protecting us from pride perhaps? Who knows?

All I know is, Long Suffering Wife looked a bit surprised when she came outside with the salad and found me standing by our pool stuffing large rocks into my pockets.

This led to another embarrassing moment that I'm sure will resurface whenever things are going a little too well again.

Greg Bray is a Gladstone-based writer.