My short term memory is really lacking. I misplace my keys at least once a day. My glasses are seldom put in the same place in the evening before bedtime. When I leave for working early in the morning, I am notorious about leaving my cell phone at home. I have told Jan that such events occur because I am thinking about the theory of relativity and pondering some aspect of metaphysics.
She claims attributes the daily search and rescue missions for my keys to excessive air in my head. In the big picture, such memory lapses won’t hurt anything. There are other things to remember of much greater importance.

A dear friend posted on his fb status this morning that today would have been his son’s 12th birthday. The young man passed away suddenly when he was 7 years old. As a rule, I don’t take fb status updates too seriously The one I read just before I saw his bordered on the ridiculous. In fact, after the one from the grieving father, I found the other preceding one just downright offensive and petty.

I am not overly sensitive, but how can one father not weep for another father?
How can a father of boys not feel overwhelming compassion for a dad who has lost a son? I confess. I really am pretty sensitive. I know from experience that being sensitive is far better than being hardened and cynical.

What can I say to my friend? Do I tell him that it will get better over time? Time does not necessarily heal all wounds. It would actually be better for me not to say such a thing. Honesty is always a good policy. I can simply tell him that I shared in his grief today. I can tell him that I thought about him this afternoon. I think it is ok to tell him that the tears were free flowing. I am not too worried about my masculinity being questioned.

The most important thing I can do is to mark my calendar. This date is an important one to remember. Misplacing keys is no big deal. Hunting my glasses in the morning is just a daily ritual. But remembering key dates for a grieving friend is of utmost importance. I would be remiss to forget something of such great consequence. My short term memory is really lacking, but it can function just fine when it is really necessary.