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Ensure Family Stories Are Never Forgotten
One of the things I enjoy most about family gatherings is listening to the all the stories. There are stories that are humorous, and stories that are solemn. There are stories of perseverance, faith, risk and reward. Usually the stories begin with “I’ll never forget the time when…..” and we all gather around and listen, whether for the first time or the hundredth. But what if we do forget? We need a simple way to preserve family history!
The thought of my grandkids not hearing about how Great Grandpa picked out Great Grandma as ‘his girl’ when they were in 2nd grade would be sad. I want them to be able to share that story as they grow up.
To tell about all the times their grandpa climbed Mt. Rainier, or share the story about the time grandma drove her car into a fence while trying to save a birthday cake that was falling off the seat!
These stories are to be treasured, and the time spent listening to them is priceless!
While reading through a November issue of a magazine, I came across an article entitled ‘The Great Thanksgiving Listen’ . It is an absolutely amazing way to preserve history!
According to the website, The Great Thanksgiving Listen, which began in 2015, “is a national movement that empowers young people—and people of all ages—to create an oral history of the contemporary United States by recording an interview with an elder using the free StoryCorps App.”.
These interviews can actually be digitally shared and archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress!
They can also be saved to your device.
My daughter and I tested out the app years ago and love it. There’s so much potential for families!
The app includes simple instructions, and lots of helpful hints to have a successful interview. You can also save a photo along with the interview.
You will need access to a smarthone (iPhone or Android) to download the StoryCorps App.
Once you download this free app, consider how you can use it while you spend time with your family.
Here Are a Few Ideas:
- The app includes questions that can be used in conversations or ‘interviews’.
- You might help your kids or older grandkids select questions based on stories you know you would like to tell ahead of time. Then conduct the interview at a time you are together. Having questions ahead of time might give you the chance to gather up a couple photos or physical items to share with them as well! If the thought of an entire interview seems a bit overwhelming, just do one question. It will still be an amazing treasure!
- These interviews don’t have to be just one way. You could choose some questions, or create your own, and interview your grandkids! Everyone has a story to tell, and this will help them start their own tradition of passing memories on to others.
- If it will be awhile before you are together, you and your spouse could interview each other. Or you could ask a friend to conduct the interview (of you or you and another family member). Also, in our ‘selfie’ society we think it would be perfectly acceptable to record yourself! These interviews would be wonderful gifts for Christmas, or any time of the year!
READ: Leaving a Legacy Through Journaling: The Power of One Prompt at a Time
It is the entire collection of stories from years and years ago that have shaped the lives of the people in our family, and thus shaped our own family.
We hope that you will try this simple way to preserve family stories! Make it a goal to set aside a few minutes to tell a story, and listen to a story. It’s a great way to bridge the distance (both relationally and physically!) and literally create a history worth repeating!