Published in the Lackawanna Historical Society newsletter
It’s holiday time. While your mind may be racing with lists of gifts to buy, parties to attend, and end-of-year plans to manage, I’d like to invite you to picture something different—a quieter, more intentional scene. The one that often slips by in the flurry of all the plans and preparations: the brief, precious moments when your family gathers, hugs, stories, and jokes are shared, and laughter fills the air.
Those moments may seem fleeting, but they are the heartbeat of the season. They’re opportunities to create chapters in your family’s story that will outlast the wrapping paper, yummy food, and holiday lights. The holidays naturally bring opportunities to share memories, and winter itself—with its slower rhythm and reflective spirit—invites us to finally tackle the projects we’ve put off all year. Combine the two, and you have the perfect time to both tell and preserve your stories and those of your loved ones.
There’s an old proverb that says, “When an elder passes away, a library burns to the ground.” Like many of you, I’ve reached the point where I’m now the eldest of my line. My parents, even my aunts and uncles, are gone as well, and I often wish I had listened more closely when they had stories to tell and wisdom to share (whether I wanted to hear it or not!). I’m grateful for the traces that were left behind— Family Christmas letters, Mom’s notebook of memories she wrote out, her laptop full of old emails, the happy birthday voice mail she left me just weeks before she passed, and even some old cassette tapes I found that as a kid I recorded my father talking, and another was an interview I did with my grandfather for my Girl Scout badge! Hearing their voices again—whether in a recording or in an old movie—feels like a hand reaching through time.
This holiday season, I encourage you to not only take photos of family, the traditions, the fun, but to record the stories behind them. With permission, capture conversations as you ask family members—young and old—questions like, “What is your favorite holiday food?” or “Growing up, what traditions did your family have?” Simple questions open doors to laughter, storytelling, and connection. Recordings matter because memories fade, but voices and stories endure.
A Season for Stories
The holidays have a way of bringing us back to our roots and traditions, but do you know where those traditions began?
In my house growing up, Santa always left one gift under our tree in our bedrooms that we could open on our own when we woke up. I found out later that this tradition, which we continued with our daughter, was simply to give my parents 10 extra minutes of sleep! But to share that tradition with our daughter as she grew up was precious because it was special to her.
The season, the aroma of favorite recipes, the sound of familiar laughter, the warmth of shared memories—all invite us to remember. For those of us who treasure family photographs and the stories they hold, this season offers the perfect backdrop for more than just reminiscing. It’s a time to share, record, and preserve today’s memories for tomorrow – the ones that matter most.
The Power of Listening
Storytelling is a two-way gift. The person sharing the story offers a piece of their life, and the one listening gives something just as valuable — their full attention. When we truly listen, we help people feel seen and remembered. We become witnesses to their experiences and emotions. And when we record those stories — whether by jotting notes, recording their voice, or saving their laughter — we give those moments a chance to live on, long after the season ends.
Capture the Stories as They’re Told
The technology in your pocket is all you need to preserve the magic. Record short voice memos or videos as family members share memories. Capture the laughter, the pauses, and the tone of their voice, and even those bad jokes Uncle Joe is famous for telling, or the funny face your brother always makes when the camera is pointed at him – even as an adult. These moments—imperfect, unrehearsed, and real—become priceless treasures for the future, for generations.
You don’t need fancy equipment or hours of editing, just intention. Title or label the recordings (even on your phone, you can add a short description), upload them to your digital archive, such as a permanent Forever account, and pair them with photos or written notes. Share them with family today and preserve them for the day your grandchildren could hear those voices and feel as if they’ve met the people who came before them.
This is the heart of family preservation — not just the photographs, but the voices, emotions, and stories that bring them to life.
Winter: The Perfect Time to Begin
Winter offers the gift of stillness (I know, and snow too). It’s the perfect season to start small: fifteen minutes a day sorting, labeling, or scanning photos; or simply selecting your 2025 holiday photos and writing down or recording your memories; or recording a simple conversation with a loved one. Turn this quiet time into your own reflection project and record YOUR life story too! Every detail you include brings your family’s history to life for generations.
This isn’t about technology; it’s about care and intention. It’s about creating a legacy of your family’s memories and stories for the future and sharing them now.
The Legacy of Passing It On
At some point, the responsibility of remembering shifts to us. Maybe you’ve already felt it—the moment you realize you are now the one who remembers the most. You become the keeper of the names, the memories, the photos, and the love that ties them all together.
Preserving and sharing these stories isn’t just about organization—it’s about legacy. When we connect the faces to the names and the stories to the photos, we give the next generation more than images; we give them identity and belonging. We show them where they came from, and in doing so, we help them understand where they’re going.
In Closing
So this winter, as you gather with loved ones or enjoy moments of solitude, remember that building a legacy isn’t only about organizing photos—it’s about building each chapter of memories through stories. You’re capturing the warmth of connection, the sound of memory, and the spirit of legacy.
One photo. One story. One conversation. That’s how legacies live on.
Storytelling Prompts & Recording Tips
Story Prompts:
- What’s a favorite holiday tradition from your childhood?
- Who cooked the best meal or had a signature dish?
- What’s the funniest or most unexpected thing that ever happened during a holiday gathering?
- What’s one piece of advice or wisdom passed down in your family that still rings true?
Recording Tips:
- Keep it casual—record short snippets during natural conversations.
- Ask open-ended questions and let silence invite reflection.
- Always ask permission before recording.
- Label and save your recordings right away, while the memory is fresh.
- Store your recordings safely alongside your digital photos or in your Forever account.