“Memories: pressed between the pages of my mind. Memories sweeten through the ages just like wine."
As that Elvis song reminds us, memories are precious.
That’s why a recent story I reported on for BarrieToday really resonated.
Senior Wish Association is in the midst of a project partnering students in Simcoe County with senior citizens to write memory books.
Armed with some conversation starter questions and some of their own, the students will engage the elders in conversation about days past.
They’ll ask about family traditions, childhood pets, favourite recipes and good advice.
I think it's brilliant.
Not only is there a great opportunity to link the generations and get us all talking and listening again, but it will be so helpful to the seniors who may not remember current events, although usually remember their younger days with great detail.
This got me to thinking how much I wish I had paid more attention to my parents and grandparents.
As kids, we are often so self-centred and not even thinking of a day beyond tomorrow.
Now, I would give anything to have my grandma’s homemade bread recipe.
I wish I could ask my grandpa why he loved watching Divorce Court every afternoon? (Or maybe not.)
When I was in my 20s and embarking on a broadcasting career, I did sit all my family members down and completed audio interviews.
I asked their favourite colours, songs, who they admired, best advice, and had them describe each of our other family members.
What I most remember about that exercise is that none of them wanted to do it.
Also, when my dad announced what his favourite colour was, my mom corrected him. (I then split everyone up into private sessions...!)
Thanks to my fabulous organizational skills, I have no earthly idea where those cassette tapes are now. I will keep searching.
Let me tell you, though, if you are lucky enough to still have your parents or grandparents around, record them. It's much easier now. Use that trusty phone attached to your hand. When they are gone, you will start to forget their voice. You think you never will, but you will.
I’ve saved a lot of old letters (we wrote those, too, back in the day) so I have a lot of samples of my parent’s handwriting. I can’t throw them out. I can never get them back. Save those, too. You won’t regret it.
I would ask them dumb stuff and important stuff.
"What were some of the cars we owned?"
"How did you know at 16, Dad, you needed to go into the navy and fight for Canada?"
"Did you think I was weird practising my kissing skills on door frames?"
"When I wore a long-sleeved sweater, backwards, on my head and pretended to be a nun, did you think to tell me we weren’t Catholic?"
"Did you ever tell my sister that wearing those giant purple curlers every night was going to hurt her head?"
"Why did each day have its own specific menu?" Every Sunday was roast beef. "Was it some mom rule?"
"How did you and Dad get so smart with so little schooling?"
"How did I get so lucky to be your kid?"
So many questions, so little time.
Maybe you don’t have wonderful family memories. Do your own memory book! For your kids. For yourself.
We all have a story that deserves to be heard. Start writing, recording and filming.
If you want more information on The Memory Project of the Senior Wish Association, call 705-888-8333.
