Have you ever thought about interviewing your parents or other elderly relatives?
Are you curious about simple things you may not know? How did they celebrate
the holidays? Did they share a room growing up? Do they have a faith story
they’d like to share?
Where we live, and even who we are, is influenced by those who came before
and they may have surprising things to share. Google can help you find “family
interview questionnaires” and the responses can be recorded on paper or even as
an audio recording. My sister and I interviewed and recorded my parents a few years ago. My grandfather was interviewed in 1996 when he was in his 90’s and the recording has become logged into the historical society of the small town where he grew up in Northern Maine.
http://oralhistory.library.ucla.edu/familyHistory.html Here’s a sample to get you
started.
And for those who want to go deep with your mom (gulp) - https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/family/kids-parenting/questions-ask-your-mother-now
“When you remember me, it means you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are. It means that you can summon me back to your mind even though countless years and miles may stand between us. It means that if we meet again, you will know me. It means that even after I die, you can still see my face and hear my voice and speak to me in your heart. “ ~~~~ Frederick Buechner
-Val