Someone clue me in -- How come some people naturally have lucid dreams, and can recall dreams easily, while others can't?

I've been having lucid dreams for a long time, and I've always been able to recall my dreams. Obviously, when I was younger.. it was nothing I put effort into. I still remember dreams from when I was very young. Yet, I have friends who never remember their dreams, let alone have lucid dreams.

Would anyone happen to know why some people are capable of it, and some people aren't? Is it as simple as sleeping patterns, or far more complicated than that?