Memory Prompt Backfires

As novelty wanes we become inured

My friend Donna’s birthday was yesterday. I’d mailed a card by way of a backup, because I didn’t trust myself to remember to call. I live a low-tech, low profile life — no smart phone, no social media — thus, no automatic prompts as to birthdays.

I’d laid out numerous concrete reminders the week prior to Donna’s birthday, after mailing her card. I moved my calendar from the desk drawer to the surface. I circled the date with green marker, then placed the marker atop it, along with a quarter, a turquoise-in-sterling oval pendant, and my pink-on-pink polka-dot plastic wristwatch. I also placed a happy birthday gift bag on the kitchen table.

As it happened, I did remember to call Donna. The birthday gift bag caught my eye — which is a good thing because I’d totally zoned out the garnished desk calendar that had been in my face for a full twenty minutes prior.

Perhaps if I’d set the calendar in its place two days, versus an entire week, before the event, it would have grabbed my notice. As it was, I’d acclimated to its prominent position and the tokens I’d placed upon it. Yet, had I elected to hold off staging the prompts when Donna’s upcoming birthday popped into mind, I’d likely have forgotten it in the five-day interim.

Ooops! I just now remembered: Evelyn’s birthday is on the tenth; too late to send a card. I better prep the calendar, lest it slip my mind to call two days hence.

Better yet, I’ll call her right now.