WRITING YOUR LEGACY STORIES? WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
What memories do you recall of your hometown?
Recently, one of my lifelong friends from high school posted this YouTube, "Twenty Years Ago," on Facebook. And it reminded me of my hometown, Silsbee, Texas.
It's been quite a bit more than two decades since I moved from my childhood home. So this song really took me back in time.
My husband Dan and I grew up in the same town in Southeast Texas. So, even though he's a few years older than me, we share a lot of memories of our hometown. Not only were we both born in that small Texas town, our parents grew up there, too. So, a lot of our relatives and friends still live there. And we still make trips back there when we can.
Both of our children were born in Southeast Texas, too. But since we moved away when they were young, they only remember the holidays, summer vacations, and fun times with their relatives there.
Some memories are difficult to embrace—like the death of loved ones or mistakes from our past. But I've discovered the importance of recording some of my memories, especially since both of my parents are gone now. Writing down some of those narratives bring healing to my soul. Plus, if I don't write some of my family stories down, I know that they will be lost forever.
I wish I would have recorded some of the stories my mother and dad told me long ago. But at the time, I didn't see the value of recording them. I still hear them when I go back to Silsbee for wedding, reunions, or funerals. So, I'm trying to work out a plan for jotting down more of those stories that I do remember.
I hope this video helps you to recall some of the stories from your hometown, too. And I'd love to hear all about them. So, I hope you'll share them with us here on BLESSED. Be sure to leave a comment below!
Keep writing!
YouTube/RareCountry2 ("Twenty Years Ago" Kenny Rogers)
What memories came to your mind as you watched this video?
Categories: Building Legacies, Encouraging Spiritual Stories
Tags: writing prompt legacy memoir music storytelling Kenny Rogers
One of my fondest memories of my hometown in North central Illinois is walking the downtown streets at Christmas time with my mom, doing our Christmas shopping. It was before the days of indoor malls when you had to bundle up against the cold and walk in the falling snow from store to store while Christmas carols played on loud speakers from various businesses, and each displayed their variety of decorations. I remember my mom holding my hand as we made our way down the busy streets to support each other on the icy sidewalks in case one of us slipped. People greeted each other with holiday wishes and despite the inconvenience of having to walk for blocks in the cold, carrying packages, it seemed like a happier time. Oh, how I'd love to go back... just for a few minutes, to experience the joy just one more time.
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What a wonderful memory, Leah! It odd how a song, a video, or someone else's story can take you back in time, isn't it? I can picture you walking down that street with all the Christmas lights with your mom. And that reminds me of Christmas in my hometown, with all the decorations. I can also remember everyone going downtown on Saturday mornings, too. My friends and I would walk to Morris Pharmacy and get a hamburger ... I just had a memory of that smell of burgers cooking there (odd, huh?). Anyway, then we would walk to the "picture show." There was always a long line to get into the movies on Saturdays. Then, after the movies we would go to the downtown drugstore for a coke. I can almost picture that place in my mind. I guess I'm gonna have to write about this soon. Goodness ... my memories can go on and on. I love walking down memory lane, don't you?
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Yes I do. I could go on and on also with memories of growing up on the farm. In the winter the hay mow was our playground where my brother and I would snuggle down in the sweet smelling hay and cover our laps with as many kittens as we could reach. Once they realized our lap was a warm spot they would curl up and purr in appreciation. We could stay outside for a long time covered by a blanket of warm kittens...haha.
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Now, that's a cozy memory! I'll bet you can still smell the hay, right? No wonder you decided to invest in a hay farm recently! Holding on to some great memories and making some new ones, huh?
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