Time Flies

I can hardly believe that a few weeks have gone by since the last time I was able to sit down and write a blog entry.  I have really missed it!  It has been a very busy time with visits to family (mine & my fiance's) for Thanksgiving, working on a slideshow/ video for my little sister's upcoming wedding, bachelorette party, and gifts for so many relatives.  It's nice to be able to give these things the attention they need, but also it left me worn down and so I have had a cold for the last week.  I'm doing  better now and just have the cough to get over.  I am going to do a reading at my sister's wedding ceremony so I hope that my voice is back to normal by Sunday!  I most likely will write a few things over the next few weeks, but considering all the holidays looming (& my birthday) I really doubt I'll be able to write much.  In the meantime, here's a bit I've been thinking about recently.

I have been getting wonderful feedback from family and some new friends on what I have posted on this blog over the last few months.  I am not one who usually clammers for attention so it is really rewarding to get those emails of encouragement for sharing my stories of family history and even those of my own life.  I hope that it has inspired some of you to also sit down and pen (or type) some of your own memories.  You may think that no one would be interested, but stories of even the most common events can connect us with our children and siblings in new ways.  We all have our own stories and experiences and the best way to share those is to get it on paper.  Who knows, maybe someday your great grandchild will want to hear all about "the old days" when people had home phones, wrote checks, and drank water out of the tap.  A lot changes in technology and attitudes within a generation.  What has changed for you?  

In October I went to visit my relatives in Indiana and while I was there I took the time to ask my dad about his memories.  I had come up with some basic questions and then went from there.  It was really interesting and I learned a lot.  My basic list included:

1.  What was your first job?  What other kinds of jobs have you done?  What was your favorite/ least favorite?
2.  What do you remember about when- we landed on the moon, JFK was shot, protests during the Vietnam War, 9/11, and any other significant events in your lifetime.
3.  Who were your musical influences?  Favorite bands/ artists?
4.  What was your favorite vacation you ever took?  Who went with you?

Later, my dad emailed me some other interesting questions and his answers.  They really made me think about what my own responses would be.

1. What has been the biggest change you've seen in your life? (personal, technological, government, etc)

2. What was your biggest fear?
3. What is it you're most proud of?
4. What do you most regret? (bad thing done, good thing not done)
5. What was the biggest sacrifice you made?
6. What relative do you most admire?
7. When were you the happiest?

It's food for thought.  What have you experienced that you think your kids or grandkids may not have known about?   Share your stories and bring your family closer. 

Happy Hannukah!  Happy Winter Solstice!  Merry Christmas!  Happy New Year!