Recording Stories
I don't remember how the project came to be, but I do remember being 20 years old sitting with Grandpa and Grandma every day after work for a couple of weeks. We sat in a close circle in the living room with a cassette recorder close by. I read questions out of a book I purchased that was meant to be a guide in writing a biography. Grandma and Grandpa were both excited and anxious to share their stories. Grandpa went first. I asked him question after question, some silly questions and some sparking good conversation. Grandma listened intently pondering what she would share for her turn. I ended up with almost twice as much tape of grandma talking than what I had of Grandpa. I learned a lot and I treasure those afternoons in quiet conversation.
Life got busy and the book was never written. Earlier this week, 15 years later, I found these tapes safely stored in my closet. I was so excited I admit I cried a bit. I have been listening to them as if I'm hearing the stories for the first time. I've forgotten so many things! I wonder a question and then on the tape I ask the same question that grandpa then answers. I laugh at something he says and on the tape I laugh. I have a thought and on the tape that same thought is responded to. It almost feels like I'm sitting with them talking, once again. Their spirit feels nearer and I miss them terribly. At first I felt a tinge of guilt for not having written the book that I promised so long ago. I have been pondering this project thinking about ways to make it a worthy tribute that they would be happy about. I'm kind of glad I get to begin compiling their memoir now. Today we have certain technological advances that will make this book even better and we will get to share it as family even easier. Writing these stories and sharing memories makes the past feel not so long ago.
My goal is this. I am in the middle of transferring the tapes onto my computer. I'm going to edit them into a CD that I can burn and share with anyone who wants one. It is so fun listening to their voices share their stories! I promised them a book and I'm going to give them a book. I want to add to the stories they share and fill in with memories and stories their family has to share. They told me of their youth, but I wasn't able to get everything. I want those stories that they repeatedly told. I want memories of their children with them, stories of their adulthood. I want stories from their grandchildren. All of these memories combined with our favorite photos will surely make a beautiful tribute and a treasure for all of us to have.
I created this blog for this very purpose. So as I type up their stories I can share them here. As you have memories and find photos please email them to me (nihaws@gmail.com) which will be shared here. If you remember something and wonder if it's already be shared, look here and if not please share it! And in the end I will have all of this compiled into a book and CD that we can all have!
Life got busy and the book was never written. Earlier this week, 15 years later, I found these tapes safely stored in my closet. I was so excited I admit I cried a bit. I have been listening to them as if I'm hearing the stories for the first time. I've forgotten so many things! I wonder a question and then on the tape I ask the same question that grandpa then answers. I laugh at something he says and on the tape I laugh. I have a thought and on the tape that same thought is responded to. It almost feels like I'm sitting with them talking, once again. Their spirit feels nearer and I miss them terribly. At first I felt a tinge of guilt for not having written the book that I promised so long ago. I have been pondering this project thinking about ways to make it a worthy tribute that they would be happy about. I'm kind of glad I get to begin compiling their memoir now. Today we have certain technological advances that will make this book even better and we will get to share it as family even easier. Writing these stories and sharing memories makes the past feel not so long ago.
My goal is this. I am in the middle of transferring the tapes onto my computer. I'm going to edit them into a CD that I can burn and share with anyone who wants one. It is so fun listening to their voices share their stories! I promised them a book and I'm going to give them a book. I want to add to the stories they share and fill in with memories and stories their family has to share. They told me of their youth, but I wasn't able to get everything. I want those stories that they repeatedly told. I want memories of their children with them, stories of their adulthood. I want stories from their grandchildren. All of these memories combined with our favorite photos will surely make a beautiful tribute and a treasure for all of us to have.
I created this blog for this very purpose. So as I type up their stories I can share them here. As you have memories and find photos please email them to me (nihaws@gmail.com) which will be shared here. If you remember something and wonder if it's already be shared, look here and if not please share it! And in the end I will have all of this compiled into a book and CD that we can all have!
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