What does Thanksgiving mean?

Travelling

• Over the river and through the woods
• Or staying home
• A time to record a new chapter of family stories

 

Recording a new chapter for Thanksgiving? Hmm…

• Well there is the new Story Corps App
• Thanksgiving – Show and Tell
• A Digital Voice Recorder or the Voice App. on your Smart Phone
• You can use a Camera or Video Recorder (also on your Smart Phone)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being there…

• Wake up early
• Help in the kitchen
• Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
• Record a new chapter of stories – interview a loved one or a friend
• The annual family chore
• Polishing… the wood, the silver, and the plates
• Favorite dishes
• Setting the table
• Share what you are thankful for… more stories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active Listening…

• Share a story… what’s new, what do you remember…
• Listen to a story…
• Ask a question… what was Thanksgiving like…; did you ever attend the Macy’s parade in New York…?
• Be prepared to…Turn on the voice recorder
• Record a new chapter…
• Follow-up during quiet time after the meal or the next day… Ask another question… take a photo…
• Explore what’s in the basement… Where did you get that…?

Traditions

• Family
• Something new
• Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade… did you watch it when you were little…?
• Hospitality… say thank you… take a picture or a video…
• Record a new chapter?

Whether you are celebrating old traditions, doing something new and different, far from home, or with friends and family, I hope you will take the time to record a new chapter, a few new stories, or a few old stories. You will be glad you did.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Bruce Summers, Personal History, Summoose Tales, summersbw@gmail.com

Board Member Association of Personal Historians, Director of Regions and Chapters