To the editor:

Memories have played an important role in our lives. As one grows older, it seems that the mental slippage may become a bit more acute, yet we have known elderly people who seem to be living history books. Their mental acuity never fades. We admire them just as we do the athlete who can accomplish physical feats which seem incredible. We may even become jealous of the nonagenarian who has seemed to remember everything.

All of us have some fond memories and others not so pleasant. Our memory may become selective so that we remember the things we want to remember and forget the rest.

In our electronic age our typewriters may have memory which is possibly superior to our own. I regret that I never took a course in typing. It might have helped somewhat in improving my memory. Let us hope that memories may not be limited to a typewriter. I am thankful that I still remember many happy events although my mental agility is not as sharp as in yesteryear.

Health habits and genetics are important factors. Failing eyesight may have some impact on the facility of memory as well.

At times, in some of life's encounters, it may be better to forgive and forget those memories which may have caused us distress even though that is often more easily said than done.

IVAN NOTHDURFT

Cape Girardeau