Recording
memories for Boo and some for my Mother has become a weekly activity.
I found that if I push Boo too much to remember, he seems to close
down and remember nothing. On the other hand, if we work on memories
once a week and vary the “memory triggers,” then we have a lot
more success. Here are ten simple ways I've found that seem to work
well.
Old
Photos
This
is an easy one. Unless vision is an issue, looking at old family
photos is a good prompt for reluctant memories. Mention things you
notice in the photo that may not immediately trigger a reaction from
your elder. The roses growing on the fence...what's the story behind
those? Maybe Grandpa planted them for Grandma as a token of his
affection or a neighbor gave Grandma cuttings from their rose bush
that Grandma nurtured until they took off.
Recipes
My
grandmothers and Boo's mother seldom seemed to rely on recipes. I
wish they had. Nothing seems to taste as good as what I remember
eating at their tables. Boo can describe dishes his mother and aunts
made. Sometimes, that's enough for me to attempt the recipe.
Usually, I search cookbooks and online recipe sites for similar
recipes and then try to replicate one of Boo's “food memories.”
Family
Treasures
This
one is easy also. Who crocheted that table runner or the edgings on
the pillow cases? Who made the table? Even if specific memories of
that particular item are not forthcoming, general memories of Dad
making furniture or Grandma's quilting bees may be unearthed.
Looking at a handmade bedstead in an antique shop triggered a memory
of his mother and aunts gathering moss to make mattresses when he was
growing up.
Vintage
Advertisements
On
one of Boo's better vision days, we looked at old advertisements
online. While he didn't seem to remember any of the advertisements
we saw, they did bring back lots of memories. He described old cars
his father had owned, trips they had taken when he was growing up and
memories of one of his uncles working on cars at family gatherings.
Boo remembered the cost of doughnuts at a local school, candy bars
and peanut butter from various times.
Here's
a link to one site for vintage advertisements.
Historical
Events
What
can your elder remember about WWI or II or the Korean War? Even if
they didn't actually serve in the military, they may have memories of
victory gardens, of rationing, of the return of family members or
neighbors from the war or of their mothers or aunts working in war
time factories.
Old
Songs
This
has been a good one for Boo. Sing a longs were much more prevalent
in years past than they are now. Older songs seem to trigger a lot
of memories for Boo. He remembers singing while picking cotton when
growing up. (He HATED picking cotton and gladly found other ways to
earn money as soon as he was able!) I've found to be You Tube a
great source for these old songs.
Walk
through the old neighborhood
I've
done this with my mother. Well, walk is probably overstating what we
actually did. We slowly ambled. We strolled and we stopped
frequently for Mother to reminisce. I learned who used to live in
the house on the corner and all about them. I learned why my family
called short cafe curtains Carrie Bell curtains. On that walk, I
probably learned more about that street than I'd ever known.
Reading
vintage children's books
This
one I discovered by complete accident. Looking through some old
books online, Boo asked me to read one to him. I told him he
wouldn't be interested, that it was a children's story. Because he
really wanted to hear it, I read it and showed him the old
illustrations. Boo hadn't heard that book, but he told of others he
did remember. I'm still looking for a copy of the early reader he
had in school that featured a monkey. I learned to read with Sally,
Dick and Jane. He had a monkey!
Visiting
“Old Time” Festival Days
We
haven't tried this because crowds and noise are such an issue for
Boo. Watching threshing machines or old tractors could easily
trigger memories. Seeing old machines, crafts and so forth should be
a good memory inducer. Perhaps museums would be another possibility.
Family
Reunions or visits with siblings, cousins, etc.
Seeing
and talking to siblings and other relatives is bound to trigger
do-you-remember-when moments. Or family arguments if your family is
the argumentative type. Usually after talking to his sisters on the
phone, Boo relates family stories. Mother just seems to come alive
at family reunions. She's a veritable fount of family memories
there.
Now that you've triggered memories. Record them!
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