“Everyone has two memories. The one you can tell and the one that is stuck to the underside of that, the dark, tarry smear of what happened”

Simplified Meaning:

Everyone remembers things in two ways. One is the clear story that you can easily share with others, like talking about a fun day you had with friends. The other memory is more hidden and feels uncomfortable or painful, like a bad experience you prefer not to mention. Imagine you had a fight with a friend; you might tell others about the disagreement, but you might keep the hurt feelings you felt inside to yourself because it's difficult to talk about them. We all have these kinds of memories, where some parts we openly talk about, and others we keep quiet because they are heavy or unpleasant. It's like having a clean surface you show everyone, while underneath, there is something sticky and dark. Being aware of both kinds of memories helps us understand ourselves better. When applying this idea to your life, remember that it's okay to have painful memories you don't share easily. Recognizing their existence can help you deal with them in a healthy way, even if it's just by accepting that they're there. It can also remind us to be kind and understanding towards others, knowing they might have their own hidden memories too.