Carbon-Copied Memories Of Youth And Innocence

There is no arguing that as we get older, the memory really is one of the first things to go. Case in point, I think I might have said that before, but I’m not sure. Anyway, what I am certain about is that I am not the only one afflicted with this limited recollection capability. It’s safe to say that everybody has something — or maybe even a multitude of somethings — that they have forgotten about.

Just to be clear, I am not talking about the bodies that have been hidden, I am simply referring to minor things or experiences that are forgotten over time. Do you remember the last time you found that high school picture you wish you hadn’t? It is moments like these that give you a chance to recollect and chuckle when you do finally remember. If the previously-mentioned hidden body is one of the things that does give you a chuckle, I don’t want to know about it.

The reason I’m taking this trip down Memory Lane of my “forgotten memories”, is that I was rifling through some old papers the other day, and I found a few things that made me chuckle. Unfortunately, not all of the items I found resulted in a fond memory, but a few that appeared to demonstrate a pattern did. This “pattern” resurfaced as I found several pieces of similar paper — in this case, yellow carbon copies — but as the headline says, I still proclaim my innocence.

If you did any driving when you were between the ages of 16 and well, now, you know what those yellow carbon copies represent. This — or in this case, these — particular pieces of memory-recalling evidence were reminders of experiences that occurred while spending quality time behind the wheel. What really made me chuckle was when I realized that some of these memorable life experiences were documented during a single occurrence, but I still say that I am innocent.

My carbon-copied memories announced my unwillingness to adhere to specific speed limits on various occasions. But, the “infraction” that actually made me stop and shake my head was the one that proclaimed I was “driving at a safe speed.” That is no exaggeration, I think I am the only person alive that has gotten a ticket for driving at a safe speed. That might be the strangest one I have, but the one(s) that seem to cohesively work together recalling a single incident brought back the most memories.

I really got the attention of Barney Fife in this instance, because this life experience records that I not only exceeded the allowable speed limit — by a substantial amount — but the tin shield-wearing enforcer also noted that I did engage in a “speed contest”, and that I refused to stop while he “pursued” me. Again, I still proclaim my innocence. If he was able to give me that yellow carbon copy as a memento of the occasion, apparently, I stopped.

Yes, the memories have been restored, and the statute of limitations has expired, so I guess it’s okay to admit that I might not have been completely innocent. I do remember losing my driver’s license for a year because of that series of “alleged” infractions, and having to make payments to the state to cover the fines. But all in all, I feel that I did get the last laugh. My new found memory is helping me remember a lot of things that I may or may not have done over the years that could have gotten me in trouble, but since the statute of limitations is over, I should be okay.