{"id":651,"date":"2026-08-17T17:47:34","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T17:47:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=651"},"modified":"2026-08-18T22:12:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T22:12:54","slug":"the-things-we-chose-to-forget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=651","title":{"rendered":"The Things We Chose to Forget"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tales from the Universe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Moral Dilemma:<\/strong> If painful memories are harming your ability to live in the present, but those same memories contain love, identity, warning, and hard-earned wisdom, how much of your past can you safely release before healing becomes another kind of disappearance?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Memory House had excellent reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This bothered Mara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Places involving memory removal should not have reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Certainly not cheerful ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>FIVE STARS. SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWELVE YEARS.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PROFESSIONAL STAFF. CLEAN FACILITY.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>WOULD FORGET AGAIN.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara stared at that one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat&#8217;s funny.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her brother Tovin didn&#8217;t laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They had come for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mostly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin remembered everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not literally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He forgot birthdays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Where he put his shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But certain things?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their father&#8217;s voice when angry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The smell of the hallway outside their childhood bedroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Which floorboards creaked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How many steps from the kitchen to the back door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exact sound of a glass being placed on a table before an argument began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His body had archived details his mind desperately wanted to delete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their father had been dead nine years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin still listened for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara remembered too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She remembered hiding with Tovin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Passing notes beneath the bedroom door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Making each other laugh silently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She remembered their mother singing while washing dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Summer afternoons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A broken bicycle they repaired badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their father teaching them cards on one of his good days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The past was not one thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That was the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doctor Vale greeted them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMemory removal is an inaccurate term.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat do you call it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMemory attenuation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat sounds expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin didn&#8217;t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They did not erase events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not usually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They weakened pathways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sensory intensity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Emotional response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Automatic associations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou&#8217;ll remember what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale tapped the diagram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBut it will feel more like something that happened in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat sounds wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara felt afraid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat can go wrong?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cExcellent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin looked at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMost people ask how soon we can start.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Memory was interconnected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remove one association, neighboring memories could weaken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smell of whiskey linked to father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also grandfather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also Tovin&#8217;s first job at a tavern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also the night Mara graduated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You could not always pull one thread without disturbing others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow much gets lost?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUsually very little.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUsually?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin leaned forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDo it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He looked at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTovin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He turned to Vale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The hallway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale had Tovin recall it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Heart rate increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hands shook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A spell woven through machinery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Very modern magic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Very expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Afterward Vale asked:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPicture the hallway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nothing happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He began laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then crying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara had never seen relief look so much like grief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt&#8217;s just a hallway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin kept saying it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt&#8217;s just a hallway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara held him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He slept ten hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First time in years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The treatment worked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Second session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sound of glass on wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His father&#8217;s footsteps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fourth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The smell of whiskey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He relaxed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gained weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Started dating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stopped checking locks three times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara watched her brother return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Or perhaps arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She wasn&#8217;t sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then he forgot the card game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They were visiting their mother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She brought out the old deck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRemember King&#8217;s Lantern?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou cheated constantly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat game?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their mother explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNever played.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara stopped smiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their father had taught them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whiskey on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Good night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the good ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The smell had been treated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The footsteps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The father&#8217;s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Somewhere among the pathways, King&#8217;s Lantern had dimmed too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou loved that game.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cApparently.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDoesn&#8217;t that bother you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That bothered her more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She confronted Vale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou said neighboring memories might weaken.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe lost an entire memory.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou said very little.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOne memory is very little.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNot if it&#8217;s yours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale became quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCorrect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin wanted to continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara wanted him to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They argued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou&#8217;re losing things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI&#8217;m sleeping.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou forgot Dad teaching us cards.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara recoiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin saw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo. Say it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe wasn&#8217;t always terrible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHere we go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou need him complicated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe was complicated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI need him gone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She also hated it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For her, remembering their father&#8217;s good moments prevented the bad ones from swallowing childhood whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Tovin, the good memories kept reopening the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Same history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Different survival strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou&#8217;re going to erase him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe&#8217;s part of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat is exactly what I am trying to change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His father&#8217;s face weakened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Became vague.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Voice faded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Specific arguments became summaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI know he used to yell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rather than hearing the yelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That distinction transformed Tovin&#8217;s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He became happier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Undeniably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara could not argue with the evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then their mother died.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the funeral, Mara told a story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their mother singing while washing dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin smiled politely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Afterward:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat song?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe washing song.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their mother had sung it during arguments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trying to cover the sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The memory had been tangled with their father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara went home and screamed into a pillow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin found her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou think I killed them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn my head.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara sat up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think you&#8217;re losing us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI am right here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFor now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin became angry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo what do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don&#8217;t know!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat&#8217;s the first honest thing you&#8217;ve said.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara cried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI remember you holding my hand under the blanket.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou don&#8217;t remember?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou would squeeze twice when Dad started yelling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin looked down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTwice meant <em>I&#8217;m here.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara&#8217;s face broke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou don&#8217;t remember.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin sat beside her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then squeezed her hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara sobbed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat doesn&#8217;t count.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He squeezed again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI&#8217;m here now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Treatment stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not permanently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin learned other ways to carry memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Medication for sleep for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talking to Mara when he actually wanted to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not talking when he didn&#8217;t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ordinary tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Less miraculous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Slower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some memories returned slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">King&#8217;s Lantern did not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The washing song did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One afternoon Tovin began humming it while cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara heard from the other room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neither said anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Years later, Tovin returned to the Memory House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara came.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not because he needed permission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One memory remained unbearable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The last night with their father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin had been fifteen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their father was drunk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin finally fought back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hit him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their father fell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For years Tovin believed he might have killed him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He hadn&#8217;t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the moment remained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not father&#8217;s violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin&#8217;s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI want this one attenuated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara asked:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause I understand it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat sounds like a reason to keep it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI understand fire too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He smiled sadly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don&#8217;t need to burn every night to remember it&#8217;s hot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That made sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Painfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doctor Vale was older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Same terrible terminology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He prepared the treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before beginning, Tovin wrote something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara asked:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cA note.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTo yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Afterward, the memory remained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But distant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fifteen-year-old Tovin swung.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Father fell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin knew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No adrenaline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No nausea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No immediate shame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">History.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He opened the note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It read:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>YOU HIT HIM.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>YOU WERE AFRAID.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>YOU COULD HAVE HURT HIM BADLY.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>YOU LEARNED FROM THIS.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO KEEP BLEEDING IN ORDER TO PROVE THAT YOU REMEMBER.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin read it twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Folded it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Put it in his pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Years passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara eventually chose treatment too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Different one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She never told Tovin which.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He never asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That was part of what they had learned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When they were old, they played cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin still didn&#8217;t remember King&#8217;s Lantern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So Mara taught him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He was terrible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then suspiciously good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou&#8217;re cheating.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don&#8217;t even know the rules.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou&#8217;re cheating instinctively.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPerhaps Father taught me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tovin smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It didn&#8217;t hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They played.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At some point Tovin reached across the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Squeezed Mara&#8217;s hand twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She looked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou remember?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBut I know what it means.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That became enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not because the missing memory didn&#8217;t matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Something had been lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Something else had been saved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There was no arithmetic capable of proving the exchange correct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the Memory House asked Tovin for a testimonial, he wrote:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>FOUR STARS.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy four?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey lost King&#8217;s Lantern.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou hated King&#8217;s Lantern.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI apparently loved it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below the rating he wrote:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Forgetting is not the opposite of healing.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then crossed it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Too certain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He tried again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Remembering is not the same thing as honoring.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Crossed that out too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Some memories are maps.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Some are wounds.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Most are both.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Be careful what you throw away.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Be equally careful what you insist on carrying forever.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He left it there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Five sentences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No conclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For once, Tovin thought that was enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tales from the Universe Moral Dilemma: If painful memories are harming your ability to live in the present, but those same memories contain love, identity, warning, and hard-earned wisdom, how much of your past can you safely release before healing becomes another kind of disappearance? The Memory House had excellent reviews. This bothered Mara. Places [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tales-from-the-universe"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Things We Chose to Forget - Depth Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=651\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Things We Chose to Forget - Depth Guide\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Tales from the Universe Moral Dilemma: If painful memories are harming your ability to live in the present, but those same memories contain love, identity, warning, and hard-earned wisdom, how much of your past can you safely release before healing becomes another kind of disappearance? The Memory House had excellent reviews. This bothered Mara. 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