Family Stories.. they either shock you or sooth you. But in your heart, you have the assurance of belonging to a special group of people who accept you no matter what.
Did you know your family photos show a history of 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 that 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 the people who raised you? Do you admire them for anything? Afterall, it is really they who hold the key to fully understanding how you came to exist.
I’ve always been curious about my grandparents which is why I love spending time with my Mum to ask question so I can 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 perhaps about their hopes and dreams, how they met, what motivates them. Learn how they struggled to survive while raising you. For me, I’m so grateful to my Mum for sharing precious stories of her childhood because I got to know my grandparents and appreciate that I am the result of all their love. This has prompted me to record Mom telling her story on video.
In this post, I share the questions I asked Mum. Are you ready to explore your family history? Lets begin.
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. The schools however teach us a different set of tools and skills so we can earn a living to survive and constantly 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. As a child, my Mother would always sit with me to show me her family photo albums, telling a story behind each photo.
I never met my grandparents but they have a special place in my heart. Amazed at the stories Mum told me about her experiences during the Japanese Occupation in Singapore, a tiny island where I was born and raised.
And I relished every single moment eagerly listening to Mom’s stories because it inspired me. My Mom is 90 years old and I know we may not have much time together but I’m so grateful to have this time caring for her. A few years ago, I recorded her on video, asking questions about her life 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 is a great question to understand and to know what hopes and dreams your parents had in their childhood. What motivated them to move forward 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 where and why we are known as Eurasians and what are our mix heritage. I was so excited because he had many questions. I shared all the stories my Mum passed onto me to him and with eager eyes, he was amazed. Can you see now how amazing it can be to belong to something larger than life itself.
Have you organised your photos and videos through the years? Before you can start any projects such as photobooks or slideshow videos, you must first know where your recorded photos or videos are. I myself have sorted over 30 years of photos, some of which I’ve adopted from my mum. Its definitely not easy but 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 address below, and I’ll show you where and how to begin.
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