Like many modern families, Hannah Edwards’ children and grandchildren have a hard time gathering in one place at the same time. During the holidays, all those who can, make the trip to the Edwardses’ farm in Heflin from their homes in Georgia, Louisiana and Alabama but rarely is the family circle complete.
When families scatter, the connection between the family’s past and present can get lost in the move. Long distance phone calls don’t provide the opportunities to share memories that long talks on the front porch used to. Edwards thought about this when a cousin researched her family tree.
“I looked at that list of names, and I thought about how my children and grandchildren wouldn’t know their ancestors just by looking at that list,” Edwards said.
She decided to do something to change that, and “Down Memory Lane with Hannah” was born. The idea was simple. Edwards found a pretty notepad, and she began to write. She started with her grandparents, writing down some of her favorite memories of them and their home, and then she did the same for each of her aunts and uncles. She filled the pages of her notebook with both serious and humorous stories and added photographs to go along with each family’s section.
Edwards, a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church, Heflin, hopes her collection will give her children and grandchildren a link to their past when she’s gone. “I hope they can read these stories and know the people of the family more like I know them,” she said.
During the next few weeks, families will celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with food, fellowship and gifts. Although most of these gifts will be purchased from stores or catalogs, some of the best may be those where the givers have shared a bit of themselves. Here are some suggestions for creating special gifts and establishing traditions that can last for years:
ZWrite a “Paw Paw letter.” Most young people are more accustomed to getting their letters via e-mail rather than the postal service. However, unlike e-mail messages, handwritten letters can be read, tucked away and discovered again. A simple way for grandparents to share their thoughts and perhaps a story or two is in a letter to their grandchildren that will become a holiday tradition and a treasured keepsake. Faith stories, memories of the past (especially those that highlight the changes in society) and responses to current events are topics to consider for your letter.
ZDesign a scrapbook. Scrapbooking has gained popularity with people of all ages. Not only is it fun, it’s a great way to leave a lasting family record. Scrapbooking materials are available from independent consultants and at hobby stores, and help is available through the consultants.
You can also find ideas in books or from others in your church who share the hobby. Scrapbooks give you the opportunity to combine stories with photographs, creating a personal history of your family. Once pages are complete, give color copies of your pages to family.
ZShare a hobby. Many families have a tradition of exchanging handcrafted gifts each Christmas, and children and adults alike eagerly anticipate what each year’s gifts might be. Harold Davis of First Baptist Church, Heflin makes wooden toys or puzzles for his family members every Christmas, and everyone always enjoys seeing what he has crafted in his woodshop. Hobbies such as woodworking, quilting, cross-stitching or knitting can all be shared in simple gifts that will become treasured heirlooms in years to come.
ZMake a family cookbook. This is not only a great way to share favorite recipes, but many families also incorporate photographs, stories and important dates into their cookbooks to make it even more special.
While there are companies that will put together cookbooks, home computer technology and the availability of copy and binding services make this a project that can be done easily and inexpensively by family members. Start early and make sure everyone contributes something for the book.
ZUtilize technology and be creative. Home computers and other technology make all kinds of gifts possible. Many word processing programs offer newsletter templates that allow users to add family news and digital photographs very simply. The same information can be posted to a family Web site as well.
ZVideo cameras also offer many possibilities. A great Christmas gift idea is to record yourself reading a favorite children’s book and then give the child in your life the tape along with a copy of the book for reading “together” even when apart. A cassette recorder also will work for this project. If you have old movies at home, consider copying the entire movie or highlights to a newer format to share with family members. If you need help, consult your local photo developer for advice.
ZIf you’d like to share old photographs, another possibility is a video scrapbook. Many videographers who specialize in wedding videos are experienced in putting family photographs on video, often with music to accompany the images. Once the photographs are on video, they can be easily shared with multiple family members. Technology-savvy grandchildren can be a big help with all types of projects as well, which gives you an opportunity to spend time together while creating a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Share with others: