Memory Tricks

By Alli Rogers • Jul 3rd, 2008 • Category: Artists in Residence

“Definitely.” It’s one of those words I can never spell right. Also, “necessarily,” “consequently,” and when I was younger, “because” and “beautiful” were extra-challenging. I’ve never been a good speller. In fact, I recently read a story I wrote in third grade about a girl who “dansed” in front of an “oteens”. (audience)

I guess memorization has never appealed to me. I was fine at it; I passed my classes and although I never took my SAT’s or ACT’s, and never went to college, I’m not a horrible student. I can remember that x=y long enough to take an exam.

And this trait has spilled into my work as well. I often have to count through the musical alphabet before I remember that F# comes after E and use memory tricks to remember the order of strings on a standard tuned guitar.

Every Apple Doesn’t Go By Emily.
Eat Asparagus Dipped Gently Beside Elephants.
Energy And Diapers Go Best Everywhere. What?

Memory tricks! This is key for me. If I can just remember that the word “finite” is in the middle of “definitely” then I am sure to spell it right. And if I can make a grocery list in my mind with pictures and word associations, I will remember everything I need from Kroger for hours after I make the trip. And If I can remember the shape that my fingers make on a fretboard to form an F# major 7, then I can easily make a G# major 7.

And when I just picture the way the moon looked last night before I stepped back inside, I’ll know that God has not left us to the night.

And If I can remember that in between the words “In The Beginning”, and “Amen”, are things like “There is no God like the God of Jeshurun” and “The eyes of the blind will be opened”, and “Glory to God in the Highest” and “Truly, Truly I say to you” and “Do not let your hearts be troubled” and “Yes, I am coming soon.”

If I can just remember…

“What’s lost is nothing to what’s found, and all the death that ever was, set next to life, would scarcely fill a cup.” -Frederick Buechner, from the book Godric

↓ 2 comments

#1 Dan on July 9th, 2008 at 8:38 pm

That’s a good call. There’s a lot to be said to remembrance and worship, or life for that matter.

Good call.

#2 Brian on July 18th, 2008 at 4:31 am

“God has not left us to the night.”

There is not a single reader on this site who should not be encouraged by that statement.

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