Julia has an AMAZING MEMORY. She can remember exactly where we parked at the mega-mall (which always eludes me). When she’s off from being grounded from treats (to the minute). And what exactly I said last week that is in direct contradiction to what I am saying at the moment…It’s REALLY annoying.

But this brilliant, razor-sharp memory didn’t always exist. Know how I know? She told me when it began.

JULIA: I have something to tell you. But I don’t know if I should because you might not believe me.

ME: (the teen years still far off) Honey, you can tell me ANYTHING. I will always believe you.

JULIA: I remember the exact moment my brain started remembering.

ME: (per my promise, trying not to sound doubtful) Oh, really?

JULIA: Yep. First there was blackness, see? And then there was the start of light and stars and sound. And then suddenly I had my first memory.

ME: What was it?

JULIA: My first haircut!

Her first haircut. Well, since she was just two at the time and six months away from her first trip to Disneyland. That sounded about right.  I mean, it was a really cute haircut. And she was so proud. So, as promised, I believed her.  Then again, maybe she just remembers the following picture…

WHAT DO YOU THINK? WHEN DOES MEMORY BEGIN? And if it DOESN’T begin before 2 years, why do we bother with those elaborate birthday parties that cost us hundreds of dollars?  COMMENT!