What did you do to celebrate Memorial Day this year? Invite friends over for a barbecue? Watch television? Take an extra nap?

There may be a deeper way to celebrate. One runs risk of losing a lot when the art of family story-telling is forgotten. Many of us have cherished memories of spending time with grandparents, listening to them talk about the “good old days”, or “simpler times”. When these treasured older adults are no longer with us, those stories serve as an essential link to a family’s heritage, as well as a wonderful way to remember great men and women. Think about this- a person who is eighty years old or older can likely remember the Great Depression, a host of major world conflicts, and the advent of many modern conveniences (plastic, television, commercial flight, microwave ovens, etc.) that have come about during their lifetimes.

Ways to honor the memory of loved ones (and those older family members still living) include conversation around the dinner table, using family stories as bedtime stories for children, and seeking older family members out to ask about funny or scary times they’ve experienced.

If you’re feeling ambitious, you might even begin to document some family stories in written form. Some authors use family anecdotes and events as content for their written work. Although this may seem rare at first, every family likely has “nuggets” like these, waiting to be discovered through the joy of family storytelling. Even though some may be hesitant to reminisce at first, in the end, most will share their wisdom if approached with genuine curiosity and respect.

Next time, before you fire up that grill or load up in the car for a long weekend, don’t forget to remember the stories and lives of those who came before us. Experience the joy of history relived- starting with your own family.

Chris Peters, M.S., is the author of two children’s books, “Race the Moon” and “Earnest Meets the Outlaw”. He is also the chief editor of Cottontail Publishing, a small press geared toward assisting first-time authors. His most current projects and activities may be found at the following website: http://cottontailpublishing.webs.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_L_Peters
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Heritage-of-Family-Storytelling—An-Author-Celebrates-Memorial-Day&id=4384932

Explore-A-Story

A unique and fun-filled event that celebrates books and reading for families of elementary school children in Greater Los Angeles.  It is an incredible day of authors and celebrity readers, performers, a Disney Family Film Festival, crafts, food, and a Barnes & Noble book fair with book signings – all inspired by great children’s stories.

The Wonder of Reading