My memory and I

Writing has become a wonderful way for me to pass idle time during my retirement years. I write just about everything: short stories, novels, poems, opinion pieces, satires, travelogues—you name it. Ideas just float into my head and I write spontaneously.

- BASAB DASGUPTA

Last night, I did not sleep well and many random thoughts about life and the world went through my mind. I suddenly thought of a unique topic which could be perfect for writing an opinion piece for The Statesman. The funny thing is that when I sat down in front of my computer after breakfast to start writing, I could not remember what it was. Was it a commentary on some recent international event or a reminiscence of some episode in my life or some unique new concept? Perhaps it was an analysis of some trivial ritual we go through. I just drew a blank.

This has been happening frequently over the last couple of years. I forget names of not only people in my social circle but famous celebrities even when their images flash before my eyes. Sometimes I even forget, at least temporarily, what I had for dinner the previous night or some important tasks I was supposed to do. A much more common occurrence is forgetfulness about where I kept my keys or cell phone or where I parked my car.

My only consolation is that I am not alone in this journey. Most of my classmates and others in my age group are suffering from similar ailments. It is said to be a normal part of the aging process but I worry if it is the onset of something serious like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease; it has not reached a stage serious enough for me to consult with a physician. I have kept my brain busy; I love to do crossword puzzles and play Sudoku and Solitaire. I do occasional tutoring of high school students in physics and mathematics which forces me to keep up my knowhow about those subjects.

Naturally, I am a little disheartened that this memory loss is happening to me. According to a recent Columbia University report, ten per cent of people over the age of 65 get dementia or Alzheimer’s. I hope that I fall within the remaining 90 per cent.