subject: How to Make the Past Come Alive [print this page] How much do you know about your heritage? The stories from the years gone by that make the past come alive are precious and few. Have you shared your stories or the ones that were told to you? We need to keep the past connected to the here and now.
With all the technology available to us today, it is easy to get caught up in what is happening now. We don't give much thought to the past. But the stories of the past can inspire us, help us, and give us encouragement when we need it.
In today's economy, the stories of family members who struggled through the Great Depression can give us hope for a brighter day. They made it, so can we. We can learn of family members who served in the military at a time when letters to weeks and there was no long distance phone calls. Learning about our ancestor's trials can help us as we strive to overcome trials of our own. We will have a greater appreciation for what we have today and the blessings we enjoy.
Stories and photos of our ancestors can make the real people to us. When we only remember grandma as sick and dying, we have a hard time visualizing her as a young girl. What was she like, what did she do for fun, etc. You may be surprised to learn that grandma played basketball on her high school team or that she was an avid skier! Kids will have a new appreciation for their heritage when they realize that grandma and grandpa enjoyed extreme (for the time period) sports!
The personal histories of our ancestors can provide insight into our own lives. It is amazing to see how much we have in common with those who lived before us. The challenges are the same, the situations have just changed. We can learn and grow from learning about the past and those who lived in times gone by.
If you are fortunate enough to have someone in your family who knows the best ancestral stories, take the time to record them. Write the story and save it in a book with photos of the person it is about. Make sure that all the people are identified as much as possible. Make copies of the stories and pictures and share them with other family members at reunions.
We are so lucky to have all the great technology that is available to us. We can use it to help us preserve the past and benefit future generations
