Storytelling is the medium by which our ancestors passed on their history. It was the way we understood where we came from and what made us who we are.
I think about my mother’s parents who escaped extreme anti-Semitism in Poland and Lithuania to create a life in this country. My grandfather, from what I was told, owned a deli and then became a house painter. He was a slight man, bald, spoke with a thick accent, and fathered six children. I know that he told TERRIBLE jokes and enjoyed opera and a shot of schnapps.
But I don’t know HIS story. I don’t have a clue what deprivations he experienced and how he overcame them. It’s a shame, really, because it’s a story of courage and resilience.
Last week, I had the honor of interviewing Bruce Feiler for the podcast. You might know him as the author of Life is in the Transitions. Bruce also runs The Life Story Project and StoryWorth, where he helps others to write their own story. (For a nominal cost, you’ll receive weekly writing prompts to help you direct your thoughts.)
Now I’ve decided to begin to write my memories of my grandparents, parents, and my own experiences. I don’t know if my children or grandchildren will care, but perhaps there will be a nugget or two that will help provide an explanation or clarification about their heritage.
I wish I understood more about my parent’s experiences; my father growing up without a father, the Great Depression, and his experiences in the Army. My mother, singing professionally on the radio as a youngster and touring the South Pacific as a violinist with the USO.
Their stories must have been incredible…. but alas, they are gone forever. Your stories don’t have to be. Share them.
