Preserving Special Family Memories
Just like a beautiful color makes that special family quilt stand out, sharing stories is our secret formula to preserve special family memories. Memories help us figure out who we are, and they make our connections with family stronger. But as time goes by, these memories can start to fade away, like when old pages in a book become hard to read. The important details that used to stand out start to get blurry, and before we know it, the memory is gone forever. Luckily, there’s an everlasting way to save these fading memories – by telling stories about them.
Why Family Memories Are Important
Family memories are like little treasures that we keep in our hearts. Providing reminders of the fun times, laughter, and even tough moments that shaped our lives.
Picture driving your car on the way home from work and an old song comes on the radio. Immediately you remember all the words. And probably even have a picture of a special place where you heard that song years ago. Memories transport us back to versions of our past selves.
Maybe the smells of certain foods take you back to your grandma’s house at Thanksgiving. When you arrive at a warm and inviting home filled with love and wonderful aromas. Memories are more than just things we remember – they’re the pieces of our lives that make us who we are.
When Memories Start to Disappear
As the years go by, our memories may begin to fade. It’s similar to when old photographs lose their vibrant colors or when the sequence of an event slips from our minds. Even the emotions we feel can gradually weaken.
The Magic of Telling Stories
Storytelling is like magic and can help fight against our forgetful minds. Telling stories is like painting pictures with words. It’s a way to bring those faded memories back to life and is an active accessory to preserving special family memories. I like to think in the days before smartphones and constant social media blast families used to share stories around their living rooms as the sun would set for the day.
I remember going to my grandparents and learning from them. Sometimes it was “forced” because of school work. And other times, I was genuinely interested in what the “old days” were like. Their stories were like time machines for both of us. My grandparents remembered the joy of their youth and me, I pictured myself sitting at the soda fountain enjoying a new tasty treat! Stories help us keep these memories alive, even when they’re starting to disappear.
Preserving special family memories in writing offers several benefits. First, it helps me remember the story and lock it in my memory, until it fades. Second, as it begins to fade, it’s written and ready at a moment’s notice. And maybe most importantly, one day, I’ll be gone and I want my children and grandchildren to remember some of the events that contributed to my life. The active art of storytelling in a journal helps preserve my memories.
Check out our Family Storytelling Journal.
Why Stories Are Amazing
Telling stories doesn’t just help memories survive; it also does something amazing for us. It makes us feel better! Scientists, at the National Institute of Health, say that talking about our memories can help us feel less stressed and more connected to others. When we share our stories, we’re not just keeping memories alive – we’re also creating bonds with our family and friends.
What are Four Ways to Preserve Special Family Memories
Preserving special family memories through storytelling is actually pretty fun. Here are some easy ways to do it:
- Talking it Out: Ask your relatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, siblings, and other family members) to tell you stories about their past. When they talk about their memories, it’s like you’re right there with them.
- Writing it Down: Writing down stories about important times in your family’s history. It’s like making a special book of memories that you can read whenever you want. Check out our Family Storytelling Journal.
- Adding Pictures and Videos: Pictures, videos, and old letters can bring stories into amazing clarity. With these elements we see what places and people were like in the past.
- Sharing with Others: During family gatherings or special times, share stories with each other. It’s a way to keep the tradition alive.
Saving Memories for the Future
It’s not just about telling stories now – it’s also about saving them for later. Technology makes recording our memories easy. Family Storytelling Journals are perfect for recording our family’s history and preserving special family memories.
Remembering My Own Special Memory
As I learned more about preserving special family memories through storytelling, I thought about a memory that means a lot to me. Growing up my parents, grandparents, and an uncle took a road trip to Texas. We had two cars on this road trip. This was long before cell phones. We used a CB radio to talk to each other on the way down. It was so cool!
That’s the power of storytelling – preserving special family memories.
Memories are like treasures we want to keep forever. Even though they might start to fade, storytelling is magic that helps us remember. Let’s keep sharing stories and making our family memories live on for generations to come.