Today-November 23rd is the National Day of Listening. StoryCorps promotes the day of listening as a way to honor a loved one through listening. The idea behind the day is simple-ask one of your loved ones-a friend-a family member-whoever-to tell you a story about their life. You record it for yourself-and to share with others. So simple-yet somehow so profound too.
So ask someone-who knows what you’ll discover. And if it’s something really great-please share it with me 🙂
Tipper
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You are doing a great job of keeping story telling alive right here, Tipper. Some of your commentors are real treasures.
Much more important than listening to the old folks to learn what they have to teach us is to listen to our children to learn what we need to teach them.
The Towns County HIstorical Society sets aside one day each month for people to come in, tell stories, and record them.
When I was young I did’nt care about any kind of history,now that I am oolldd (69)it means a whole bunch,but,I don’t have any old folks to ask,I am them!!
Take heed you youngens and start visiting with your elders.
Wish I had written down the stories from my folks. Can remember some of the things and only parts of others. Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
I love StoryCorps but was not aware of this today! I’m going to do it!
Tipper,
This National Day of Listening
makes a lot of sense. I use to
have this 94 year old man to come
over and eat with me 3 or 4 times
a week. He could still drive his
pick up and if he had his pocket
knife on him, he’d weigh at least
106 pounds. I sure miss hearing
him tell stories of tunnel jobs
he worked on and he could still
remember the names of folks he
worked with. Although he was so
frail and shakey, I was a good
listener, according to his wife.
I’m glad I did. I kept a pint
jar with a handle froze so he
could have cold milk with his
meal. He helped build the Orr
Dam…Ken
Tipper,
Here’s a listening moment for everyone!!
I was shocked this morning when I realized that I forgot to set my bathroom scale back 10 lbs. Thanksgiving Eve…
Did anyone else forget?
Thanks Tipper,
PS…Oh well, we have a month to Christmas to make it up….or lose it!
Tipper,
I always loved listening when I was a child…
The problem was that I didn’t write it down, so exact memories have been lost somewhat…
I think just as important is “asking” because some won’t discuss their lives for their own reasons..maybe thinking no one would be interested in their lives, struggles or successes..
Old ways verses new ways, etc.
Thanks Tipper,
Hope that you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Your advice above is great. Take it from someone who didn’t get into family genealogy until just after the death of my last grandparent. I did get some info from older relatives but never asked my own grandparents about their lives or about their parents and other relatives. It may sound vain but I have been jotting down info on my life for who knows who in the future. It might not be interesting but it will be factual.
Hey Tipper, this is a very good assignment. There is a fine art to listening. To focus all attention on one person and the words they speak tuning out all other people,TV, music, iPhone, pets, and kids, is a very tall order indeed.
I will try. lol
Wanting to keep some family history of my parents, I did this many years ago with my mom and dad. I never had a chance to finish it, but some of the information I gathered is quite precious to me. Happy listening day to all!