Unlock those Family Secrets
Storytelling has been a part of every culture as a means of education, entertainment, and cultural preservation since the beginning of civilization. Great storytellers are prominent members of society and honored for the wisdom they hold. Parents play this role with their children, using stories to teach them about life and their family.
Each of us has something to share: knowledge, ideas, skills, and of course, our personal history. It is easy to get wrapped up in our own everyday, but we can learn so much from others to help with the decisions and challenges of our own lives. 
Think about the people in your family and who you might like to know more about. Ask an older relative about their life growing up, what they know of family history, and to tell you about what interests them and why. Learning more about someone, what they have experienced and who they are, will deepen your connection and you may also learn a bit about yourself in the process. In turn you will be able to share what you learn with a child or sibling. Or maybe you will get inspired to start a family history…
And what about you, are you a storyteller? Family time is always a precious commodity and even richer when we open ourselves to sharing, teaching and mentoring. Be sure to also listen and invite questions, you will be surprised at the joy and fun of discovery. This is not a new concept to any of us, but sometimes we need to be reminded of the simplest ways to learn and grow.
Not sure where to start? Connect with a family member who has a common interest or something unique. You might ask your grandmother to show you how to make her favorite recipes and you will pass these on to your children. Or maybe a cousin or an aunt to teach you to knit (all the rage, don’t you know), or seek your grandfather’s advice on gardening. You never know what you may learn, or how you may grow…
“Last week, I asked my grandmother to share some of her recipes with me and my children. It was a fun way to get her and the children talking about her life because they were able to associate what she was telling us about her past with what we were making in the kitchen. She told us stories about their family suppers, and about her children (my aunts and uncles) when they were young. In those moments I could see wonder and understanding on my children’s faces, I don’t think they had thought of her as ever being any age but what she is today!” — Amanda W.
