“It’s important to teach our children their heritage. Who are your ancestors? What were their traditions? Each of us has (generational) stories to tell. If these stories are unwritten, then how are your children going to know of their parentage?” ―
This time a couple of years ago, I was preparing for summer travel. As it turned out, I ended up seeing branches of my maternal grandfather’s side of the family from Idaho to Kansas! I didn’t realize it at the time but I was on a mission to rescue some generational stories
Soon after, I re-posted content with stories centering on the maternal grandfather’s branch of the family tree. Most of these came to light during afternoon story sharing times at extended family gatherings.
This past year, with all the social distancing, extended in person family gatherings were non-existent. Even more incentive to find ways to unearth more unique family stories.
Generational Stories Near And Far
The trip to Idaho’s primary purpose was to attend a Mission Aviation Fellowship advocate summit, but a third cousin lives there: the grandson of my grandfather Rightmeier’s brother, Leonard.
We first met at a large Rightmeier reunion in 2004 in Jewell, Kansas. He and his sons came to see where it all started. They still talk about fishing in Cousin Roger’s pond, and the family stories that came to light at that event were priceless.
Back in Kansas a week later, a few of my grandfather Rightmeier’s clan had arranged to gather on Father’s Day in Salina, Kansas, including cousin Roger. The last of my grandfather’s generation passed on that year. This was an opportunity for the still living generations to connect.
And we did! It was a good time doing what the Rightmeier’s do best: tell stories. We laughed until our sides hurt!
Masters Of Generational Stories
This has always been a storytelling bunch, especially the men. Not gossip or tale bearing but funny things that happened. Adventures that could have gone wrong but thankfully did not. Most included life lessons learned the hard way.
There is always much detail in these unique family storytimes. Images of landscapes emerge in living color in one’s mind as you listen. Each contains history, geography and a moral lesson. I cherish these.
In fact, were it not for these storytelling sessions throughout my childhood, the Rightmeier family history would lack the depth it has. It is those stories along with some research, from which I draw to write about. These bits may become a book at some point, but for now, I share my “notes” here on THE STONEBRIDGE.”
Generational Stories Connect Us
When one does not know and process appropriately one’s history, we tend to flounder. We become stuck. Once known and processed, the weight conspiring to hold us back falls off.
They become stones in a pathway on which to continue our journey. Our generational stories become wings rather than ballast.
Personally, it is a relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ, the One who knows the end from the beginning, and is more aware than I am of what that all means, that gives me courage to process and move on. And not just move on to move on, but do so in joy and hope.
Make Your Generational Stories Intentional
As you spend time with family this summer, endeavor to engage in telling the story of those who have gone before. Be kind, but real. Relive the fun times. Then write it down!
Click Here for a free download of FIVE LEGACY STORY TYPES you can capture.
What summer adventures are you planning? Be safe! Be Blessed! Let me know where you are off to in the comments below.
Nancy,
How do I access this resource? It may be exactly what I am looking for. Want to start a verbal history with my 92 year old Dad by telephone or grandpad. Two fold purpose. He is losing interest in so many things, but he does like sharing stories. I need some prompts of questions to ask and set up a regular time to talk each week. This also affords the possibility of unearthing family stories that only he knows.
One other question, do you know if there are copies of The Living Gravestone available in Wichita? Seems I remember seeing copies many years ago in the Wichita historical museum. I would love to
Locate a copy for my daughters. Thank you!
Carla
carlasteinbuchel@gmail.com
Hi Carla, I sent you the information via email. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. It means a lot to me.