My sister Cyn and me (Her looks have improved since then!)
On New Year’s Day, I called my mom and asked her to tell me stories about my kidhood. I had made a quick list of memorable events to start with but more came to mind as we talked. It was wonderful reminiscing and she reminded me of details I had forgotten as well as telling me things I never knew.
For instance, my dad had dug a couple of holes in our back yard for a wooden home plate and pitcher’s rubber. I’d pitch to him and he’d hit me grounders and fly balls. Well, my mom just told me that my dad had attended the last home game of the original Saint Paul Saints minor league team at the old Midway Stadium, which a quick Google check tells me took place in 1960. It was a different time back then and since the park was going to be demolished, he walked out on the field after the game, dug up home plate and took it home. I had never known where that home plate had come from and it’s very cool to know that there’s some history behind it.
I recorded the call, which lasted more than an hour. I plan on interviewing my mom again about her childhood as well as about her early adult years. I set it up so that my daughter and sister can download the first call over the Internet so they can have a copy too. In my mind, it’s already a treasured piece of family history.
Recording family stories is growing more popular now that technology has made it so much easier to do. I’ve seen a number of local and national projects aimed at preserving these precious memories and I’m sure their opoularity will continue to grow.
If you haven’t considered audio- or video-recording senior family members, I urge you to do so. It’s an easy and fun way to capture important stories that otherwise may fade away into the mists of time.
ABOUT PHIL BOLSTA
Phil is the author of Through God’s Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World, a comprehensive guide to living a spiritual life. Who will benefit from reading it?
Anyone who is on a spiritual path, or wants to start one
Anyone who loves life, or wants to learn how to
Anyone who is happy, or wants to be happier
To order your copy of Through God’s Eyes, go to GodsEyesOrder.com OR order from Amazon at GodsEyesAmazon.com OR for an inscribed copy, click here to e-mail Phil for information.
Click here for more information about Through God’s Eyes.
Click here to ask Phil to add you to his e-mail list for updates on his blog and books.
Here is a two-minute video introduction to Through God’s Eyes.
Want to learn more about Through God’s Eyes? Here is a free 40-page PDF sampler from the book that includes:
• an overview of the book
• the complete table of contents
• the Foreword by Caroline Myss
• my Introduction
• chapter excerpts
• a sample end-of-chapter story
• endorsements from authors and thought leaders
Just click on the link below to download your free PDF sampler!
THROUGH GOD’S EYES PDF SAMPLER
Schedule a Mastery Mentoring phone session with Phil to learn how to apply principles of spiritual living more effortlessly and effectively. Priced affordably! Click here to e-mail Phil for details.
Phil is also the author of Sixty Seconds: One Moment Changes Everything, a collection of 45 inspiring, life-changing stories from prominent people he interviewed, including Joan Borysenko, Deepak Chopra, geneticist Dr. Francis Collins, acclaimed sportswriter Frank Deford, Dr. Larry Dossey, Wayne Dyer, Dan Millman, Caroline Myss, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, Dr. Bernie Siegel, James Van Praagh, singer Billy Vera, Doreen Virtue, Neale Donald Walsch, and bassist Victor Wooten.
Here is a three-minute video that introduces you to Phil and his book. Click here to order Sixty Seconds. Click here to ask Phil to add you to his e-mail list for updates on his blog and books.
Reading this book is like spending a few minutes face to face with each of the contributors and listening to their personal stories. Click here to read unsolicited testimonials from readers. Learn more by visiting the official Sixty Seconds website.
Sixty Seconds was one of three finalists in the General Interest/How-To category at the 12th annual Visionary Awards presented by COVR (Coalition of Visionary Resources) in Denver on June 27, 2009.
Tags: family history, family stories, interviewing family members
