Memoirs - Course 1 - week 4

Whose Story Is It?

As if our own memories weren’t foggy enough, what happens when we have to rely on those of other people? Separately interview two friends or family members to get their versions of a shared experience. Preferably, this will be an event that concerns you but which you either have no memory of or were not present to experience firsthand like, for example, your birth or first day of school. From the notes you take during these interviews, you will write a single version of the story, about 500-750 words. Account for at least two discrepancies that arise between the two accounts. How do you explain these discrepancies? Offer theories for why either respondent might remember the story the way that they do. Be sure to support your theories by offering insight into your respondent’s personalities. You can do so in several ways. For example, a character description might explain your respondent’s motives; or a brief anecdote would show your respondent’s behavior in a similar situation.

It was Elian's 10th birthday. The WWE and wrestling were everywhere. T-shirts, magazines, TV, radio – everything was saturated with the wrestling world. Mexico was a big fan; public Mexican channels paid millions of dollars to broadcast WWE on weekdays and Mexican Wrestling on weekends. Young Elian was enthralled and wanted everything around his birthday to be wrestling-themed.

Though surrounded by love, the family struggled financially and couldn't afford many gifts.  Elian's Aunt Mayra Gomez, his mother's sister, arrived very early on Saturday at his house. Working long hours all week, buying a gift was challenging for her.

She took Elian to the toy store. They browsed aisle after aisle, searching for the perfect toy.  Aunt Mayra doesn't remember taking Elian to the store, nor how they got there – whether by taxi or on foot. Elian, however, remembers being with his aunt at the store when they reached an aisle overflowing with wrestling toys.

In the center of the aisle, there it was: a wrestling ring with a cage. 

At the same time, Elian and Mayra spotted the wrestling ring with a cage. Mayra asked Elian if it was a good gift. Thrilled, Elian thanked his aunt and grabbed the toy. They headed to the cashier and Mayra paid for it. The wrestling ring even came with two bonus action figures –  popular Mexican wrestlers!

Neither Elian nor Mayra could remember how they got back home. However, one thing remained crystal clear in their minds: Laura, Elian's mom, was giving them the side-eye (a.k.a. resting bitch face) as they walked in with the toy.

The party kicked off. Everyone laughed, played games, enjoyed a chocolate cake, and finally, it was time to open presents. Everyone was in high spirits. Mayra hadn't wrapped her gift, so it was obvious what it was. Elian unwrapped the brightly colored yellow paper to reveal a gift from his mom. As he opened it, Elian, Mayra, and everyone else realized – it was ANOTHER wrestling ring with a cage!

"Why did not you ask me what to get him, Mayra?" Laura asked, clearly annoyed.

"How was I supposed to know? It was a good deal!" Mayra retorted.

"Now I have two," Elian giggled.

Mayra knelt to Elian's eye level and explained, "Hey, why don't you play with one ring for now? Then, if the first one gets broken or worn out, you can open the second one!"

Elian, with a determined glint in his eyes, looked up at his aunt and declared, "No. They're both mine now, and I'm going to use them both!"

Mayra chuckled, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "I really don't care. Do whatever you want, they are yours now.”

Elian couldn't help but giggle.