There is a beautiful children’s book called Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge written by Australian author, Mem Fox. Published in 1984, it is one of her best-selling books and is a favourite amongst children and adults alike.

It tells the story of a young boy who overhears his parents talking about the lady next door who is losing her memory, so he asks them, “what is a memory?”

His father tells him a memory is something you remember, but being a curious boy he continues to ask other people the very same question, “what is a memory?” He is told a memory is something warm, something from long ago, something that makes you cry, something that makes you laugh and something as precious as gold.

The boy goes looking for items that he thinks represents these things and gives them to the lady and as she looks at them, she starts to remember things. The book ends “and the two of them smiled and smiled because Miss Nancy’s memory had been found again by a small boy who wasn’t very old either.”

In a very simple and sweet way, this book is a perfect explanation of what a memory is.

What is your special memory? It might be something of very special significance in your life such as your wedding or the birth of your children. It could be something that happened yesterday or when you were a child. Often objects hold special memories for us like photos, but even something like a smell or a particular song can bring back memories of a special time in your life.

We would love to hear from you – what is your special memory?