The Family Story
|
| Every family has a unique story. These stories are the mirror and the memory of who we are, where we came from, and where we are going. They are the bridge from the past into the future. Sharing a family story is a way to honor our family members, learn from them, and discover family history. In essence, it is a way to honor the past to live better in the future. Your next family reunion is a perfect time to share your family's narrative. It is easy to bring forth wonderful family memories through the art of storytelling. Denver storyteller, Cherie Karo Schwartz, shares her story-sparking ideas. These ideas will bring your family's story to life so you can share it with generations to come. Gather at the table. Throughout time, families have gathered to share meals. As recipes pass through the generations, stories entwine. Bring a special family recipe and divulge the story behind the food. Perhaps your family ate this food at a special occasion, or maybe the recipe is an old family secret. Try this as a way to feast on each other's stories. Treasures from home, whether big or small, old or new, when shared provide a wealth of information. Having each family bring a treasure from home is a unique show and tell idea. Another suggestion is to have each family or individual member contribute a story. The subjects are endless and the stories keep flowing when families remember special celebrations, funny mishaps, strange occurrences, unique adventures, childhood milestones, the meaning of a name or a favorite pet. Pictures are worth a thousand words. Bring along your family photo album to share with the family. Make sure to capture the reunion on film and later create a family reunion scrapbook to share next year. Through their special nature, holidays hold lasting memories. Reveal your family's own holiday celebration rituals, traditions and customs. You may even be able to learn the origination of these festivities. Family elders are an open book of stories and times past. Capture their oral history and hear their tales. To spark storytelling, have them write down or share their special memories. As the story unfolds, others comment or add what they remember. Where one person leaves off, another will follow, thereby creating a collection of stories and memories. Listen to the young ones too. Children always contribute a unique family view. Construct a "moving" family history by having them draw stories on a long strip of butcher paper. Use family heroes, tricksters or innovators as inspiration. Create a laugh. Get different generations together in small groups to share stories of unusual topics. They can include anything from school and food to family pranksters. Zero in on one and come up with a way to tell this story to the entire group. Try acting it out, pantomiming or even singing the story aloud! The delivery is up to you. The best way to ignite storytelling is to bring photos, videos and family mementos. Build a museum of mementos for each family. If you don't have a memento, draw something that is meaningful. Be sure to bring plenty of markers, pens and paper! Be a part of history in the making. Start a new family reunion ritual that everyone will remember. Perhaps in the future, new generations will be sharing memories of the ritual you began. Finally, Schwartz imparts the importance of gathering these stories into a collection everyone can take home. If possible, bind them into a book or even easier, email them out. Family stories help shape our identity and make known shared experiences. Embrace these narratives to learn about your family's history in order to shape your future. |
| Cherie Karo Schwartz is a storyteller, author and educator living in Denver. Cherie shares stories, offers workshops, offers keynotes, develops programs, and creates with families, organizations, schools and congregations. She has published three books and has traveled with stories for three decades around the United States and abroad. Cherie may be reached at her email: schwartstory@earthlink.net. |
 |
|
|
|