What’s Your Story?

My great-grandfather immigrated to the United States from what is now Ukraine in 1910. With him were his wife and three of his children, one of whom was my grandfather.

Fortunately for my family, after settling in San Antonio, my great-grandfather set to the task of writing his memoir—in his native Yiddish, no less.

I’m not sure what prompted him to pursue such an ambitious undertaking, but I’m sure glad he did.

From his life as a child growing up in “the old country,” to his travels as an itinerant student and teacher, to his family’s journey across the Atlantic, to adjusting to a new life in a new land, having my great-grandfather’s life story in writing has been an extraordinary gift to what has now grown to five generations of his offspring.

Stories create connection.

Between people. Between generations. Between past, present, and future.

They enable us to know who—and where—we came from.

They give us a clue as to WHO we are, HOW we are, and WHY we are the people we are.

Which begs the question: How are WE doing at recording and passing down our stories?

How much do OUR children and grandchildren know about where we (and, in turn, they) came from?

How much do they know about our childhood dreams and fears? Our teenage friendships and challenges? Our adult successes and failures?

Our first loves? Second chances? Mistakes made? Lessons learned?

If the answer is, “Not much,” maybe it’s time to be more forthcoming with our histories—and our memories.

To share what we believe—and why we believe it.

If you’re interested but not sure of how to begin, there are several apps and/or platforms available that can help you get started by providing you with prompts, questions, and other flashes of inspiration.

Those of us who have been around for the past 60, 70, or 80+ years have lived through a LOT. We’ve seen—and helped create—a great deal of change in the world. (And many of us feel like we’re fighting the fights—AGAIN—we thought had been won ages ago.)

Which is one more reason sharing our stories is so important.

Because those stories are not just about the “good ol’ days;” nor are they about walking “miles to school every day—barefoot, in the snow, uphill both ways.”

They’re about Resilience. Determination. Generosity of spirit. Love. Loss. And so much more.

So share your stories early and often. I promise you neither you, nor those who care to listen to them, will regret it.