The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast PEL Presents PvI#110: Memories of 2026 w/ Mark and Mary
Jan 23, 2026
A lively conversation about memory care, downsizing keepsakes, and arranging photos to orient loved ones. They riff on sentimental objects, puppets, and percussion as anchors of identity. Improvised scenes imagine womb nostalgia and a time-traveling descendant who affirms creative legacy. They also debate recording performances to preserve a professional life.
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Moving A Parent Into Memory Care
- Mark moved his father from a large house into memory care and recreated family photos in the new small space to evoke familiarity.
- He keeps some notebooks and CDs in storage as tangible records of his father's past abilities and identity.
Objects Evoke Identity More Than Facts
- Mark observes memory's role is often to evoke identity through familiar objects like photos and CDs placed in new spaces.
- Those curated items can comfort residents without requiring full factual recall.
When Letting Go Meets Bodily Limits
- Mary recounts helping her father after a stroke and having to stop pushing when his kinesthetic responses signaled distress.
- She preserved some of his newspapers while discreetly removing a few she got reluctant clearance to discard.