"Life, after all, makes the best story...especially the lives of our grandparents, parents and other loved ones. Sharing those stores and memories brings us closer to those we love...and to those we will never have the opportunity to meet." -- Marcia Cross.
I was inspired by a segment on Good Morning America this morning. (Click here for the link and then click on the video, "Marcia Cross Preserves Family History.")
Marcia Cross, from Desperate Housewives, has teamed up with Hallmark to create the Legacy Keeper. The kit gives you all you need to prepare and interview members of your family in order to create a family time capsule. I was interested to learn that the kit not only includes a photo album, slots for keepsakes and an MP3 player for voice-recording, but it also has a booklet of interview questions. Interview questions for your family?
This got me thinking... How much do I really know about my parents?
Take my mom, for instance. When I told her I planned to keep this blog, she said I should interview her. I laughed, of course. After all, I think I know my mom pretty well -- better than many daughters know their mothers. Not only do I know that she loves to invent new recipes, would rather be sitting on the beach with a good book and can't wait to move from Georgia, but I know pretty well exactly what shes thinking by the expression on her face. I can, more often than not, anticipate what she will say next. (Mom, you know I can...)
Basically, I know my mom now. What I don't know is my mom then.
I can't think of a more important, self-defining time in my life than right now. Being in college is amazing. What was my mom like in college? Sure, I can hear stories from my grandma about my mom's many boyfriends, coming home for the holidays, how she dressed, etc., but only my mom can tell me what she was thinking in college. What did she used to daydream about? If my mom had to write a blog post in college, what would the topic be...? :)
I'm determined to find out. Maybe I won't buy the Legacy Keeper, but I plan to ask her some serious questions -- a real interview. I'm going to get to know my mom... for real this time.
I encourage each of you to do the same. Let me know how it goes.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
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3 comments:
What a great idea! I love hearing stories from my mom and grandmother. My grandmother is the best story teller ever. She can make what should be a five minute anecdote turn into an hour long engrossing tale of love, loss and life. The story of how she met my grandfather is something straight out of a chick-flick.
Wow -- What a great way to think about that, Lizzie!
It's an interesting idea that just because we know a person now, doesn't mean we know everything about them. I agree that the past is just as important as the present -- it all helps make us who we are.
What a great topic for your blog!
Nikki Kay
Lizzie,
I must say that I really enjoy the life side of your blog. The sociology of it, the psychology of it, the real-ness of it. Here's my take on this post:
When I was young, my mom bought me a book full of random questions that my grandmother filled out. She bought it from one of those catalogues that puts monograms on every children's toy and backpack. The book asked questions about her childhood, who she hung out with, who her first boyfriend was, how much a loaf of bread was. Random questions, but to this day- very interesting! I think I want my mom to fill it out...
I took Nutritional Science as a freshman at UGA and had to contact my father's side of the family to get health history information. Contacting his family was new for me. (Background: my parents got divorced when I was teeny tiny and my father moved away, and then passed away. I have no memory of him). I learned about his health problems, and learned how I needed to adapt my lifestyle to be healthier. A couple years later, I got curious. These people (his half-sister, cousins, my god-father) were "related" to me, yet I had no idea who they were. My senior year, I did "interviews" (if you will) with them to learn more about him. It's funny the traits he has that are so inherent in me. Not only did I get his blonde hair and blue/green eyes...but I also have his ambition, his determination, and his wild zest for life.
Since I have moved out of my parent's house (almost a year and a half ago), my mom and I have become closer. I'm more apt now to ask her questions about her life, and ask for her advice. I may not always like what she says, but she is smart as a whip and I always value her opinion. I like that I can talk to her about my life issues, and she can talk to me about hers. She's not so much my mom anymore as one of my best friends. It's a great place to be.
Learning about your family is a great way to also learn about yourself. And as interesting and wonderful as your family might be, never discount how important YOU are. (You being anyone who reads this). Here is a very cool site (I have not used it- but am interested!) that you could encourage friends and family alike to use. Just imagine how valuable it will be to your kids or grandkids years and years from now.
http://www.storyofmylife.com/?gclid=CNnTtt-X4o8CFQ6CPAodJWy-CA
I have to give a warning. Learning about your family and yourself is not always easy. You may hit some tough subjects and some information that is hard to digest. Listen and don't judge. Every story has a lesson in it somewhere, whether large or small. Never discount the opportunities to learn from your family and from yourself.
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