--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My short-term factual memory can be like…" description: "\"“My short-term factual memory can be like water; events are a brief disturbance on the surface and then it closes back up again, as if nothing ever tou..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45a/pat-summitt-2987_alzheimers_my-short-term-factual-memory-can-be-like_3024958.png" --- # My short-term factual memory can be like water; events are… ![“My short-term factual memory can be like water; events are a brief disturbance on the surface and then it closes back up again, as if nothing ever touched it. But it’s a strange fact that my long-term memory remains strong, perhaps because it recorded events when my mind was unaffected. My…” quote by Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45a/pat-summitt-2987_alzheimers_my-short-term-factual-memory-can-be-like_3024958.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45a/pat-summitt-2987_alzheimers_my-short-term-factual-memory-can-be-like_3024958.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45a/pat-summitt-2987_alzheimers_my-short-term-factual-memory-can-be-like_3024958.png) > ““My short-term factual memory can be like water; events are a brief disturbance on the surface and then it closes back up again, as if nothing ever touched it. But it’s a strange fact that my long-term memory remains strong, perhaps because it recorded events when my mind was unaffected. My emotional memory is intact too, perhaps because feelings are recorded and stored in a different place than facts. The things that happened deeper in the past, and deeper in the breast, are still there for me, under the water. I won 1,098 games, and eight national championships, and coached in four different decades. But what I see are not the numbers. I see their faces. 'Pat should get a tattoo!' The kids laughed. 'What kind should she get?' 'A heart. She should get a heart.' Little did they know. They are the tattoos.”” [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Short‑term facts fade like ripples, but deep emotional and long‑term memories stay vivid, shaping identity beyond statistics. **In simple terms:** Facts fade, feelings stay. Key Takeaway Value relationships over numbers. Themes memory identity emotions legacy Mood nostalgic reflective Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - Coaching sessions - team meetings - personal reflection - legacy planning Key Concepts Neuroscience psychology sports coaching Questions to Reflect On - How do you prioritize emotional connections? - What memories define your legacy? A Different Perspective Memories can be selective and biased, not a complete record. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alzheimers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alzheimers/) [Memory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory/) [Memory loss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory-loss/) ## Related quotes > [“I Understand Mom The fog wraps around her mind bits and pieces of tattered thought become blank within her eyes minutes ago is gone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-baratono/i-understand-mom-the-fog-wraps-around-her-mind-bits-and-pieces-of/) [Ron Baratono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-baratono/) > [“Years from now, I’ll be sitting in my wheelchair in the brightest spot in Amsterdam Park, next to the old wooden swings, catching a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etgar-keret/years-from-now-i-ll-be-sitting-in-my-wheelchair-in-the-brightest-spot/) [Etgar Keret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etgar-keret/) > [“Someday, I suppose I’ll give up, and sit in the rocking chair. 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I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-bartok/at-the-bottom-of-the-box-were-two-big-fairy-tale-collections-our/) [Mira Bartok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-bartok/) > [“And even if only one good memory remains with us in our hearts, that alone may serve some day for our salvation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoyevsky/and-even-if-only-one-good-memory-remains-with-us-in-our-hearts-that/) [Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoyevsky/) > [I'm weird; I have a very strange emotional memory. I really somehow hold on to even passing moments with people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-maron/i-m-weird-i-have-a-very-strange-emotional-memory-i-really-somehow/) [Marc Maron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-maron/) > [Time after time have nations, ay, and rich and strong nations, learned in the arts, been, and passed away to be forgotten, so that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-rider-haggard/time-after-time-have-nations-ay-and-rich-and-strong-nations-learned/) [H. Rider Haggard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-rider-haggard/) > [Our emotional mind will harness the rational mind to its purposes, for our feelings and reactions-- rationalizations-- justifying them in terms of the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/our-emotional-mind-will-harness-the-rational-mind-to-its-purposes-for/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [“If memory remains sound and the thinking mind retains its vigor, an old intelligence may have extraordinary breadth and depth of understanding.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/if-memory-remains-sound-and-the-thinking-mind-retains-its-vigor-an/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [“The existence of different memory systems explains why you can experience anxiety in a situation without any conscious memory (or understanding) of why the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-m-pittman/the-existence-of-different-memory-systems-explains-why-you-can/) [Catherine M. Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-m-pittman/) ## More by Pat Summitt > [I learned so much from Sue about the Xs and Os of the game of basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/i-learned-so-much-from-sue-about-the-xs-and-os-of-the-game-of/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [I have a love-hate relationship with losing. I hate how it makes me feel, which is basically sick. But I love what it brings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/i-have-a-love-hate-relationship-with-losing-i-hate-how-it-makes-me/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [The willingness to experiment with change may be the most essential ingredient to success at anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/the-willingness-to-experiment-with-change-may-be-the-most-essential/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [“We installed something Dean called “the persistence drill,” which tested their stamina: they had to make consecutive full-court layups for two straight minutes—and if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/we-installed-something-dean-called-the-persistence-drill-which-tested/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [I remember every player-every single one-who wore the Tennessee orange, a shade that our rivals hate, a bold, aggravating color that you can usually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/i-remember-every-player-every-single-one-who-wore-the-tennessee/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [She taught me that it's ok to let down your guard and allow your players to get to know you. 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And that is what separates winners from losers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/you-spend-more-of-the-game-preparing-to-win-in-the-final-seconds-and/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [In order to grow, you must accept new responsibilities, no matter how uncertain you may feel or how unprepared you are to deal with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/in-order-to-grow-you-must-accept-new-responsibilities-no-matter-how/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [Rebounding wins championships, you need to emphasize it and work with kids on it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/rebounding-wins-championships-you-need-to-emphasize-it-and-work-with/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [Offense sells tickets, defense wins games, rebounding wins championships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/offense-sells-tickets-defense-wins-games-rebounding-wins-championships/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [Teamwork is what makes common people capable of uncommon results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/teamwork-is-what-makes-common-people-capable-of-uncommon-results/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [If you don't want responsibility, don't sit in the big chair. To be successful, you must accept full responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/if-you-don-t-want-responsibility-don-t-sit-in-the-big-chair-to-be/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) > [Make Winning an Attitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/make-winning-an-attitude/) [Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) [Explore all 143 Pat Summitt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/) ## More Alzheimers quotes > [“I miss myself." "I miss you too, Ali, so much." "I never planned to get like this." "I know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-genova/i-miss-myself-i-miss-you-too-ali-so-much-i-never-planned-to-get-like/) [Lisa Genova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-genova/) > [“From my book, Care for the Carer, An Alzheimer's Memoir "Is there a cure?" Jane asked repeatedly. 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But she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-genova/she-could-always-walk-somewhere-without-him-of-course-this-somewhere/) [Lisa Genova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-genova/) > [“You spend your life hoarding memories against the day you'll lack the energy to go out and make new ones, because that's the comfort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-david-hutchinson/you-spend-your-life-hoarding-memories-against-the-day-you-ll-lack-the/) [Shaun David Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-david-hutchinson/) > [“Dying from an aggressive fatal brain tumor is like dying from Alzheimer's disease accelerated one hundred times.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/dying-from-an-aggressive-fatal-brain-tumor-is-like-dying-from/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“I can’t stand the thought of looking at you someday, this face I love, and not knowing who you are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-genova/i-can-t-stand-the-thought-of-looking-at-you-someday-this-face-i-love/) [lisa genova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-genova/) > [“I wanted to keep her from slipping out of my life. 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As I said it I wondered which was the bad way: in or out? Was she lost when she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percival-everett/how-s-mother-in-and-out-as-i-said-it-i-wondered-which-was-the-bad-way/) [Percival Everett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percival-everett/) [Browse all 43 Alzheimers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alzheimers/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“My short-term factual memory can be like water; events are a brief disturbance on the surface and then it closes back up again, as if nothing ever touched it. But it’s a strange fact that my long-term memory remains strong, perhaps because it recorded events when my mind was unaffected. My emotional memory is intact too, perhaps because feelings are recorded and stored in a different place than facts. The things that happened deeper in the past, and deeper in the breast, are still there for me, under the water. I won 1,098 games, and eight national championships, and coached in four different decades. But what I see are not the numbers. I see their faces. 'Pat should get a tattoo!' The kids laughed. 'What kind should she get?' 'A heart. She should get a heart.' Little did they know. 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