Old age is a natural part of life for those who are fortunate enough to make it that far. It's a time when many stories of the past can be looked upon sometimes with a keen eye of accuracy or through a hazy view of fading memory. The elderly can have a wealth of knowledge to share that can help you if you're writing a memoir. Don't overlook that value as they will often remember the details that you might have missed. Sharing memories is good for them as well. Older folks can sometimes feel a bit neglected and welcome the time to share the stories they have stored away inside them. Remembering can be good for the mind. When spending time with your seniors you might be helping them as much as they can help you.
As each of us grow older the time for writing memoir gets shorter and the call becomes more urgent. It's never too early to start writing memoir and it's only too late when you're no longer around to write down those memories that may be forgotten to the ages if you haven't taken the time to record them. Even if your memoirs are never published, the keepsake left to future generations is a thing of great value. Keep your own memory sharp by writing memoir. One day you may not have that memory to enjoy.
Has anyone in your family written down their life memories? Do you ever ask elders about what they remember about the past? Is there any true value to the memories of the person who was never famous or a major historical figure?
Grandpa and Dad are full of old stories and I used to love listening to them. Had I ever had the notion of writing them down I would have a full fledged book just on the Paternal side of my immediate family.
ReplyDeleteBushman
2015 A to Z Challenge Ambassador
@jwb81074
My father did write his down. I've considered putting it in book form for at least family members. I used to love hearing my mother's stories as she would talk about hers more. I could never convince her to write hers down.
DeleteLee
I did ask my grandmother for her memories but she was always reluctant to share. So was my dad - he pretty much refused to discuss WW2 or his early life as an orphan in South America. My ex husband's grandmother lived to her early 90s and we tried to get her to share her memories with us but she also refused. I never understood that.
ReplyDeleteToo bad--your father sounds like he might have had some fascinating experiences. My father was kind of the same though. I don't know why some people don't want to talk about their pasts. Maybe they just don't see them as interesting to anyone else.
DeleteLee
" Is there any true value to the memories of the person who was never famous or a major historical figure?" I wish my mom or dad... or their parents- would have kept one. It hurts to see all their times just fade in a matter of a few decades. To be no more than a stone in a graveyard.
ReplyDeleteSo, so true!
DeleteLee
I have lots of stories as a result of talking with my dad. He is gone now, so there will be no more.
ReplyDeleteMy mother died 21 years ago, and I was living in another state. As a result, I never got her side of the story, or her memories of her early days. I always regret that
We need to get the stories of the older generation (that's what I am now) before it is too late.
I have recorded all the stories Dad told me, and have spoken to my siblings as well. There are many stories that I've missed, but at least I have quite a few to pass on.
You are so right about capturing the stories while you can. I used to talk a lot to my mother about such things, but now she's gone and those conversations will be no more. I miss them.
DeleteLee
Writing memoirs is still not very popular in India. I don't know why. Maybe it's because of our education system and social system. We lay too much emphasis on being a cookie from the "cookie-cutter". Individuality is repressed here. Self expression is still not encouraged in majority of Indian families. Things are changing now, but too slowly. I don't think I'll live to see the India of my dreams.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog and leading me here. I didn't know you were participating from two blogs. I'm going to have to bookmark this Memoir-writing series. Will go through it after the challenge is over. At the moment, I'm lagging behind by a post on my blog!
Thank you, Chicky, for this perspective on India. I'd never considered such a thing, but then again I think this could be the case with the majority of Americans as well. I think a lot of people just don't see that the life they've lived could be at all interesting to those who know little about life in those times.
DeleteGood luck with the Challenge!
Lee