Moments in time
One memory leads to another
It has happened to us all.
You walk into someone’s home and you see something familiar, perhaps a jacket draped over a chair. You do a double take. It’s very similar to the one grandpa wore on that special day long ago. As you approach to take a closer look, you recall a ballgame with grandpa. It was the first time he took you somewhere, just you two. You sat high in the uncovered bleachers…people cheered from all directions…hotdogs, chips, and cherry pop was lunch…it rained…grandpa draped his jacket over your shoulders…you fell asleep in grandpa’s jacket on the way home.
This is how memory works; one thing leads to another and soon you have a whole story. You may not have the ticket stub or the program from the game, but you do have a wonderful memory of you and your grandfather sharing a magical day. That is all you need. Memory may be one of the most powerful tools to profile an ancestor.
Take a look at how Susan fleshed out some cherished childhood memories to begin the story process.
Similar to using hunches and clues as opposed to “facts” to profile an ancestor, memory can be a very powerful tool. It provides depth to a story that documents and photos lack.
What are some of your favorite childhood memories of your grandparents? Susan said it best: “If you leave your kids a string of memories, they will have a pathway to you.”
Try it. You may be surprised at the stories that lurk within.
Photo credits: Susan Phelps
Happy Profiling! ❤
The Malevolent Matriarch 