So, I was listening to NPR a few months back, yep big nerd, and listened to an ongoing series entitled Story Corps. Story Corps is a non-profit organization who have recorded over 50,000 life stories with family and friends. It is an oral history project that was founded in 2003 and has recently released a book with a collection of stories, Listening is an Act of Love. In this book are stories of love, loss, childhood remembrance, war, children, etc.
I thought Story Corps was such a great idea the first time I heard it on the radio. I have since heard numerous stories from the program and enjoyed listening to many. After hearing these wonderful stories from people around the country I was inspired to seek out some stories from my own family. Growing up, I do have some memories of my grandparents and great grandparents. On my father's side, I have great memories of my grandparents, Bill and Dorothy, at their lakehouse around Ashland, Nebraska (I think, anyone feel free to correct this). The lakehouse or cabin was at the end of a short gravel road on the lake. Looking back on it now there wasn't much to the lakehouse: one floor, a couple rooms, one bathroom, and a small kitchen. But, man did I think it was the coolest place in the world as a kid. I still have in my bathroom today a picture that was hanging above the toliet at the cabin. It is a black and white photo of a little boy sitting over a pot with his pants down outside his house. Below the picture it says 'Efforts'. Now that is funny!
That framed picture is something I can hold onto from that time. I now that there are pictures out there from the cabin, but I haven''t seen them in years. And I'm sure there are great stories from days on the lake with family and neighbors, but it is to late to ask Bill and Dorothy to tell them to me. A lot of those stories passed on with them and have been lost forever. The closest I could come would be to ask their children and frends about stories they have from the cabin. But wouldn't it be great to have a video or audio recording of their favorite cabin stories? I do and this is my party and I'll cry if I want to!
This is the opportunity I have with my remaining grandparent, Shirley. Here is a short audio recording of Grandma Shirley talking about the trips her and Phil took her family on many years ago. Now, this is something that lives on and gives a glimpse into what it was like raising five children and going on vacation. Thanks in large part to my sister Anna, there are over 50 recordings of various lengths with Shirley talking about her favorite memories. 50 is a great start. The next step is to start recording some video of Grandma about her memories.
