They say, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” If this is true, then a memory must be worth a million. No photograph can capture a moment as thoroughly as a memory. Memories rely on all the senses to recall a previous experience. Sound, taste, touch, and smell are left out of photos, but these senses are responsible for breathing life into memories.
I’ve just returned from a sea kayaking adventure in British Columbia, and I can tell you my pictures don’t do the experience justice. There’s no way to capture how touching a squishy sea anemone feels or watch as it pulls in on itself for protection. The fishy scent of a humpback whale’s breath as it lunge-feeds is far easier to describe than show. Walking on the spongy, moss-covered ground of a temperate rainforest makes one feel like they are walking the land of gnomes and fairies.
Air temperature, the wind’s direction, or the kayak’s sway beneath you must be felt, not pictured, to remember. The presence of a picture can only tell part of the story; words transport the imagination further. Even if I could have caught the bioluminescent glow of the protea in the water at night, the image would be lacking in impact. The darkness of the night made the water appear black. With each dip of the kayak paddle, an explosion of glitter sparkled below the water’s surface. It was as though a humungous jar of fireflies had been released into the ocean. There are many firsts I will not remember, but the magic glow that appeared from a single touch was unforgettable. https://www.tiktok.com/@joshg_photos/video/7267690228763118891
Images are important, but I value memories more. My photo albums are few because they never match up to the real thing. Memories are worth a million words.
