Family History

Last year while attending Time Out for Women Mary Ellen Edmunds, one of my most favorite authors, told us about a way she was able to capture her mother's memories without it being overwhelming to her mother. Mary took 100 post cards and on each one wrote a question about her mother's life that she wanted to know but the answers didn't have to be long and overwhelming, they just had to fit on the small space provided. She asked her to answer one a week and then mail it back to Mary.

This idea of hers struck me as something I needed to do with my own mother. Often I feel like I know so little about my mother's life growing up. She has shared some but I know there is so much more to be told.

Because of this nagging sensation I finally (9 months later) did follow Mary's advise and send my mom roughly 15 postcards with a question on each one. Today I was so excited when two of them arrived in the mail.

The first card asked her to tell me one scary/frightening childhood memory. It was so fun to read her attack cat encounter and my grandmother defending her. I giggled at the scene she described as I imagined it in my head (though I know at the time it was very scary for her).

The second card asked her to tell me about some skills she learned from her own mother. This one explained so much about my own childhood. My mom makes great gravy (thank you grandma for passing that on) and we always had dinner together each night as a family. There were a few other things she shared but I won't go into detail here.

To get these in the mail today was like Christmas only better. I was so excited and am looking forward to receiving more postcards from Mom. It is so special to have her memories, in her own handwriting, that I can cherish and share with my own children.

Thanks Mom! These memories are the very best gifts I could ever receive. Love you!!!!!