In my second job, I spend a lot of time at the local nursing home.  Yesterday I took time to ask a resident about her teaching career.  We ended up talking about kids then and now, and she told me a couple of stories about her students and her own children.  I enjoyed talking to her, but I still had some work to do.  I will go back soon; hopefully I can get some of her stories written down so they won’t be lost with the passing of time.  The stories of our elders are full of wisdom and humor.

I wish I had taken the time to write down stories from my grandparents before they were gone forever.  Nanny and Pawpie sure did a lot of living.  Grandma could have told some interesting stories as well.  Hindsight is 20/20, so please take my advice so you won’t make my mistake.  With the technology available today, you can have videos of your loved ones telling stories themselves.  Just imagine if I had been able to take videos of my grandparents.  My grandchildren and great-grandkids would have been able to not only see the people I loved and lost, but they would have been able to hear their voices!  What a gift!

For those of you with young children, I also say: Write things down!  (Laura and Keith, I am thinking of you when I give this advice!)  One day your memory will dim, and you will be confused as to which kid said what!  Trust me because I have already had it happen to me!  (I’m only 47, for crying out loud!)  In this day and age, there’s no reason not to document family gatherings, stories and memories of the people we love.

Lena could have told some great stories.