False Memories and other bits of rubbish

False Memories

My older sister used to get really angry with me about something she claimed I had told her. I can quite honestly say that I could not recall ever having shared the information, that she was accusing me of telling her, and when she recounted it I couldn't help but be slightly amused as 1. it was pretty ridiculous and 2. that she had believed it.

The puzzling thing was that she really got angry and said that I had deliberately duped her. How could I feel guilty and react appropriately to her accusations if I had no memory of the act of telling her this nugget of information and of the actual content of it?  Also was it my fault she had been so easily fooled by my "forgotten" self?

So I would like to propose that from now on, if you, or anyone, forgets something - let's say an event or an object or, as in this case, a story - one is not guilty of the action and cannot be accused thereof.

So - now let's start this story. Behind the wall of our garden there is a little beaten path that leads into the woods. You have to climb over the wall, which is easily scalable as it is constructed from volcanic rocks which tend to be bumpy and porous thus affording good purchase. Once over the wall, follow the path left, not right, but left and it will take you to a fork. By the way if you come across a fork in a path, pick it up, you never know when it may come in handy (just a little humour) but back to the path, this time take the right fork and keep walking. After a few minutes you will hear water and as you draw closer you will see a narrow waterfall falling from a drop of about two meters and pouring over a rock face into a small naturally formed river pond.

Now this is where it gets a little interesting. Make your way along the side of the pond - either side, it doesn't matter, to the edge of the waterfall and slip in behind it. You won't get wet because there is just enough distance from the cascading water to the gap behind it. Wait a moment and allow your eyes to adjust to the brightness behind the water, yes I said brightness, as behind this waterfall is a world full of light and yet to be discovered by most.

But back to my sister because what she was accusing me of was that I had told her that when she cuts her finger nails to save all the trimmings because people make buttons from them. Now.....what the....? I mean really? I don't think it was me that had told her that, in fact I think she dreamt it.

Ok, on with the story. The waterfall is a portal. When you enter it and cross over, time seems to stand still on our side. So once you go through you are never missed. Time here grinds to a halt, everyone and everything freezes as soon as you cross the threshold - or that's what it feels like and I am pretty sure that is what happens.

I like to make my way there whenever things are bugging me. It gives me some time out. It's like checking out of your normal life for as long as you like without any one noticing. Quite a luxury as the only time one can do this is when you close your eyes to fall asleep. The only difference is that behind the waterfall you are always awake and when you fall asleep you forget about the time spent sleeping.

To date, I have been using this portal for rests from the real world. When I say real, I mean our day to day stuff. I only pop behind the curtain of water and sit on the threshold and bask in the light. I haven't as yet dared to venture beyond the entrance. The reason is because I am worried about what will happen in the real world when I stop time by crossing through the portal. I am tempted to go in further but I may have to set a few things up at home before I go through and explore. I may ask my sister to see if she can help me.

To be continued....