Story Jars
The tags on this hand decorated jar I received one Christmas from my oldest daughter read:
Recipe for My Life History
Combine a generous slice of your life history a dash of nostalgia, several cups of facts and feelings and deliciously interesting questions. Draw 1 slip of paper. Take a few minutes to enjoy the memories. past or write the question at the top of a blank page Fill in your answer.
The brown tag reads:
This product was prepared to preserve your life story. Enjoy the scrumptious home-made memories that celebrate something very important – YOU!
Opening the jar I noticed my daughter had filled it to the brim with slips of white paper. Each piece was numbered but I don’t think the order of answering had much importance. She had simply thought of questions she desired to hear answers to. Some examples include:
1. Are there any family heirlooms in your possession? Tell about them and how you came to acquire them.
16. Describe your wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses.
31. Do you have a special school memory ( high school or college)
35. Do you remember a special birthday party you’ve had, given or been to?
65. Tell about the changes you’ve see in your lifetime: society in general, technology, fashion, fads, morality, politics, etc.
67. Tell about your family traditions: Christmas, birthdays, graduations, Thanksgiving, weddings, etc.
94. What makes each of your brothers and sisters ( or in-laws) special? Be specific
102. Write a description of your husband.
Each of us has a story. Those stories are filled with memories of happy times and sad, tough things we might want to forget, and everyday occurrences which others in our family may find unique or different. There are books you can buy to fill in the blanks but I believe this story jar of prompts adds more questions, more to think about and remember than I have seen in any of the books. It also holds a special place because of the time my daughter spent putting it together.
To be honest, I have not taken a book, wrote the question at the top of the page and answered it. However, I have told and written stories that answer some of the questions. I have scrapbooked photos and added journal entries to tell the story. The task is far from complete. This year I hope to write out more of my memories to share with my children and grandchildren.
What about you? Have you started leaving a written record of memories for future generations? If so, how have you begun the process, what method have you employed? Maybe you are younger and still have parents and/or grandparents whose stories you want to hear. Consider encouraging them – maybe make them a story jar of questions as prompts.
Posted: February 6th, 2017 under Storytelling.