The Hounds of Memory is a phrase in a book I listened to. It had me reflecting on the recent lock-down in the Greater Brisbane Area. What I didn't expect but should have, was the impact this lock-down had on my city outside the affected region. Authorities urged people not to panic-buy during this lock-down. So that's exactly what they did. A short walk into our supermarket told me the Hounds of Memory had been baying into the minds of shoppers. Many recalling much uncertainty and fear over empty shelves in their familiar store.
The cracked veneer of reasoned behaviour was very evident. Memories of having to do without for a time in 2020 howled loud and long. Paper product shelves looked very sad. A few days later we are back to normal. Whatever 'normal' is now.
I hear these Hounds of Memory mostly at night when I'm supposed to be sound asleep. Thinking about my past and now present condition, wondering what I will be like in the near future (long term is too hard) blows the dog whistle summoning my Hounds of Memory. It isn't hard to recall times when I could attempt a lot more than I can now. I can't count the full and frank conversations I've had with God before I sense the Hounds are muzzled and secured to very short leashes. But that's the thing about memory isn't it. Some memories are treasured. Others prowl around the edges of my mind, ready to steal past good and future hopes. I ask for courage not to give in to the Hounds...that are very partial to my feelings. Deep breath in, deep breath out. Half day at a time, I tell myself.