Earliest memories: what are yours?

Two pieces in the magazine this weekend concern the subject of memory. They remind us of the wonders of the brain.

Phillip Adams’ column this week sparked an interesting conversation in our house and I think it will in yours. He opens by asking: what is your earliest memory? Mine is tossing turnips to cows on the farm, and it’s complete with the pungent smell of the vegetables and the audible crunch as they were devoured.

It’s a difficult task, sifting back through time and sorting out what you actually remember and when it might have been – especially when your parents are no longer alive to verify and correct. There’s a coincidental link between Phillip’s column and our cover story on broadcaster Karen Tighe, who lost part of her memory when she was struck down by a common virus. The two stories reinforce the wonders of the brain. Not just to store and file information but, in Karen’s case, to heal.