I’ve lost my thought…I looked in the last place I had it…really. It wasn’t there. I’m not worried, I know it will come back sooner or later…probably when it’s time to sleep and I’m too tired to do anything about it.

Short-term memory is something that concerns us as we move forward into the twilight years. My step-mother who just turned 89, told me that someone told her that our brains are like a computer…the more we upload into it, the longer it takes our search engine to find whatever it is we are looking for. I guess that’s my excuse - just too much going on in there.

By exercising our brain, we can help build new brain cells to expand our hard drive, and increase our RAM (random access memory - kind of like mine). There are some computer software programs designed to assist in slowing down the aging brain, but they can be costly. (Calisthenics for the Older Mind, on the Home Computer, NY Times) I suggest, before you spend the big $$$$, why not have fun exercising your brain while spending quality time with your grandchildren. On the sidebar you will find some free online games that will help you do just that.

Sometimes I forget what I’m doing or about to do when I get ready to do it. (Does that make sense to you?) It can be so embarrassing. Case in point: Today a couple of students left my last period class a few minutes early while I was helping another student with an English assignment. They left early enough so they were able to go down the hall and out the door before the bell rang. You understand, they figured I’d forget they were at the door waiting to leave. Now, I wonder if it’s happened before. Unfortunately for them, my memory didn’t fail me at that time. But, about fifteen minutes later, I went to the office determined to fill out a cut-slip. It took me all but two minutes to get there since the halls had cleared out quickly today. I found myself standing in the middle of the office wondering what the purpose of my being there was. Since I didn’t know, I left. On my way home, I remembered! I just have to remember to write myself a note to follow up on it…then remember …. You know how it goes.

Perhaps it isn’t the aging that is causing the lapses in memory. It could be that I just need to scan my brain for too much adware from all the holiday shopping ads I’ve been inundated with lately. Overloaded grand-motherboard?

I’m sure you’ve had moments when you couldn’t remember what you were just about to do or those regretful instances when you couldn’t remember someone’s name. Do not worry, remember to relax, it’s still in there just been rerouted to another directory, trying to make its way onto your memory stick.

Well, I’ve lost my thought again. I’ll return when I find it…Oh, I remember! I’d like to hear your amusing “overloaded grandmotherboard” story. Search your memories and email one to me at nanascorner07@gmail.com. Thanks!