Family Stories.. they either shock you or sooth you. In your heart, you feel assured. You belong to a special group of people who accept you no matter what.
Did you know your family photos show a history of untold stories.. waiting to be discovered? They reveal the character traits, intellect and experiences from the people who came before you. And the amazing thing is—you inherit them all, in your genes. So why not take time to know your family stories and history.
We all have our favourite TV shows or famous actors or actresses we admire. Hey, I have many too! But here’s something to consider.. how well do you really know these people who raised you? Do you admire them for anything? If you think about it, they hold the key to fully understanding how you came to exist.
I’ve always been curious about my grandparents. This is why I love spending time with my Mum. I ask questions to learn more about my family history.
Have you ever wondered how you came to exist? I’m sure there are many questions you’d like to ask your parents. You ask about their hopes and dreams. How did they meet? What motivates them? Learn how they struggled to survive while raising you. I’m so grateful to my Mum for sharing precious stories of her childhood. Through her stories, I got to know my grandparents. I appreciate that I am the result of all their love. This prompted me to record Mum’s stories on video.
In this post, I share the questions I asked my Mum. Are you ready to explore your family history? Lets start.
Explore Your Family Stories
As children, our parents are our first teachers, who encourage us to explore the world around us. Ever wonder how they acquire the knowledge or skills to raise us? These abilities are passed down from the generations before who raised our parents. Schools teach us a different set of tools and skills. They allow us to earn a living to survive. We also strive to reach for the best grades. No wonder many of us leave school not knowing what we want to do next. But.. consider this advent as an amazing new beginning for us to discover ourselves. We learn everything about the outside world.. yet we know nothing about who we are, or where we fit in this world.
The Age of Discovery
To discover more about ourselves, we must first get to know the people who raise us. When I was a child, my Mother would always sit with me. She showed me her family photo albums. She told stories behind each photo.
I never met my grandparents but they have a special place in my heart. I was amazed by her stories. Her experiences during the Japanese Occupation in Singapore inspired me. I went on a mission to record the details.
And I relished every single moment eagerly listening to Mum’s stories because it inspired me. Mum is 90 years old. I know we have less time together. I’m so grateful for every moment with her. A few years ago, I recorded her on video. I asked questions about her life. I did this so I can share it with my children. These were the questions I asked her.
1. What was childhood like for you during the Japanese Occupation in Singapore?
2. How did you and dad meet?
3. What values did Grandma and Grandpa leave on you as an important lesson?
4. Is there any generational medical history in your family?
5. Do you ever wonder what you would have done differently?
6. What are the happiest memories in your childhood or adult life?
7. What are your favourte activities or hobbies?
8. What’s most important for you in this moment?
9. Did you know what you wanted to pass onto me as a child?
10. Do you feel happy about the way you lived your life?
What was life like during your childhood? It is a great question to understand life then. It helps to know what hopes and dreams your parents had in their childhood. What motivated them to move ahead or to build a better future.
Inspire Future Generations
Recently, my seventeen year old son asked me about my ancestry. He was curious to know more about our Eurasian heritage and what are our mixed culture. I’m excited because he had many questions. I shared all the stories Mum passed onto me to him and with eager eyes, he listened. Can you see now how amazing it can be to belong to something larger than life itself.
“Walking. I am listening to a deeper way.
– Linda Hogan, Dwellngs
Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me.
Be still, they say. Watch and listen.
You are the result of the love of thousands.”
Have you organised your photos and videos through the years? Before starting any projects like photobooks or slideshow videos, you need to know where your old photographs are stored. Locate your videos as well. I myself have sorted over 30 years of photos, some of which I’ve adopted from mum. Its definitely not easy but organising can be done. And when you have these photos and videos readily available, trust me your family will appreciate these wonderful family stories.
Need a little help? You can download my free Photo Organising Folders by filling in your email info below. I’ll show you where and how to start. By providing your email info, you opt to receive a fortnightly email update. In this update, I share more ideas to help you preserve your memories.
