“In history, a great volume is unrolled for our instruction, drawing the materials of future wisdom from the past errors and infirmities of mankind.”—Edmund Burke
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As I wrote this, the words of the song, “Memory” – a show tune composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Trevor Nunn based on poems by T. S. Eliot – came to mind. I can hear either Barbra Streisand or Lea Salonga singing the song that was written for the 1981 musical Cats:
“Memory / All alone in the moonlight / I can smile at the old days / Life was beautiful then / I remember / The time I knew what happiness was / Let the memory live again.”
As if by mere coincidence, my neighbor is listening to the radio and the song being played is – believe it or not – Maroon 5’s “Memories.”
The memorable lines went this way: “There’s a time that I remember when I did not know no pain. When I believed in forever, and everything would stay the same. Now my heart feels like December when somebody says your name ‘cause I can’t reach out to call you, but I know I will one day.”
More often than not, we will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory. As American singer Billy Joel puts it: “As long as there are memories, yesterday remains. As long as there is hope, tomorrow awaits. As long as there is friendship, today is beautiful.”
British novelist James Graham Ballard also stated, “Memories have huge staying power, but like dreams, they thrive in the dark, surviving for decades in the deep waters of our minds like shipwrecks on the sea bed.”
“Memory,” wrote British author Oscar Wilde, “is the diary we all carry about with us.” And Nobel laureate Bob Dylan added, “If you want to keep your memories, you first have to live them.”
Allow me to share a story, which you may have read about on social media or heard before from a friend. But below is my own version of it:
It was a fine morning. Fifteen-year-old Justin approached his grandfather with a curious expression and asked, “Lolo, how did you manage to live before? Did you have what we have now like information highway, internet, computers, drones, automated teller machines, mobile phones, and Facebook?”
With a thoughtful smile, the grandfather replied, “Just as your generation lives today: without humanity, without dignity, without compassion, without shame, without honor, without respect, without personality, without character, without love, and without modesty.”
The grandfather continued: “We, whom you now refer to as ‘old,’ view ourselves as fortunate, and our lives reflect this sentiment. We rode our bicycles without helmets, fully embracing the spirit of freedom and adventure. After school, we diligently completed our homework before rushing outside to play in the meadows until dusk. We valued genuine friendships, not merely acquaintances on a screen.
“When we were thirsty, we quench our thirst at the fountain, enjoying the pure taste of nature rather than relying on plastic bottles. Sharing a glass with a friend was never a concern; illness was not a prevalent fear among us.
“Obesity was uncommon; our meals were simple, often consisting of bread and pasta, providing sustenance for our active lifestyles. Our feet flourished as we walked barefoot, connecting with the earth beneath us. We created our own toys and sparked our imaginations through play.
“Although our parents may not have been affluent, they enriched our lives with immeasurable love. We did not require mobile phones, DVDs, or video games; we found joy in laughter and companionship.
“It was customary to visit friends’ homes unannounced, where we shared bread and butter, relishing in life’s simple pleasures. Family served as our foundation, with adult relatives living close by to share in both the joys and challenges of life. We represent a distinctive generation – one that listened to our parents and became the first to also heed the voices of our children.”
Now, if what the grandfather said is very familiar to you, then you belong to a blessed generation. Walter Bagehot once penned, “The best history is but like the art of Rembrandt; it casts a vivid light on certain selected causes, on those which were best and greatest; it leaves all the rest in shadow and unseen.”
Today’s generation needs to know the past. As Maya Angelo pointed out, “The more you know of your history, the more liberated you are.” Lord Action added, “History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul.”
Our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, once said: “Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan.”
Rizal underscores the significance of history in influencing both the present and the future. This indicates that comprehending our past, including its achievements and shortcomings, is essential for guiding our future direction. Furthermore, history offers a framework of identity and context for our existing situation, functioning as a resource that extends beyond merely preventing the recurrence of previous errors.
Let me end today’s column with these words from Nicholas Sparks: “It happens to everyone as they grow up. You find out who you are and what you want, and then you realize that people you’ve known forever don’t see things the way you do. So, you keep the wonderful memories but find yourself moving on.”
