I posted a blog recently entitled “What Is Your Story?” I said we all have a story within us, and the starting point for many of my stories were from my family. I listened to tales from grandparents, aunts, uncles, in-laws, and outlaws. I think most were true, but sometimes you have to take them with a grain of salt or a whole bag full. I wondered how they lived through some of those events – how those events shaped them.

Have YOU done that?

Ask your parents and siblings for their most memorable experiences and write them down or better yet, record them so you will have their oral histories. Remember to ask favorite teachers, parents of best friends, work mentors, etc. There are many stories there that shaped you whether you knew it or not.

Be sure to ask open-ended questions:

• What was the most pivotal moment when you grew up? 
• Who were your childhood heroes?
• What were your childhood chores?
• What was the best Christmas present you ever received? Why?
• How did your parents name you?
• What was the biggest challenge your parents had raising you?
• What do you miss most about your parents?
• Where were you? (9-11, Pearl Harbor, Moon landing, COVID Pandemic, etc.)
• How did you choose your children’s names?
• Did you ever serve in the armed forces? Did you go to war?
• What is your earliest childhood memory?
• What was your favorite subject in school? Least favorite?
• What makes you smile the most?

They cannot (and you will not) remember them all, so write them down. Like my grandfather, the old East Texas philosopher used to say, “A short pencil is better than a long memory.”

We all have a story within us. What was theirs?