I feel now more than ever the urgency to preserve our family stories so that when our minds can’t hold them, they live on. One of my most precious treasures is the book of family stories my maternal grandfather wrote about growing up during the Great Depression, boot camp, fighting in World War II and Korea, and raising his family. He died a few years ago, but his vitality is still with me through his stories.
I believe the unspoken disconnect between the generations occurs in part because we don’t give each other a chance: Older people think kids won’t care; kids wonder, “How could this relate to me?”
Even painful stories should be preserved: The courage drawn during hard times inspires the next generation to persevere. Each person is unique, and storytelling gives us a glimpse into someone’s soul. Through stories, you step into a person’s shoes, into a time other than your own, and become immersed in his or her world.
Build memories; don’t squander them. I hope each family has a way of preserving memories. It’s kids who take the legacies and life lessons of the family, not just to learn but also to pass them on.
It shouldn't take dementia and Alzheimer’s to bring us together; we can come together on our own accord, because everyone has a story worth telling. By saving the past, we can preserve the future
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