Stories that share your values

A traditional Jewish saying begins: “Why were human beings created?” Answer: “Because God loves stories.” The truth in that saying goes well beyond the Jewish tradition. For centuries, stories have been the glue that held families and cultures together around the world.

As children, we might have snuggled into our parents’ laps to hear stories, or listened to stories as we fell asleep. Parents taught us how to tell stories and so we looked for stories, fictional and real-life, to share with others. I hope you keep finding stories to share.

The stories we have lived – and heard - during our lives help shape who we are and what values we try to live by. They symbolize who we are and what we hope younger generations will learn from them. Shared stories become part of our values legacy.

We may not have much material-wealth to give to our families as a legacy. But we all have values-wealth to give them. That wealth is so often wrapped up in the stories that we tell our children, grandchildren, even great-grandchildren if we’re lucky.

So our next Geezer Forum on Dec. 13 wants to hear some of those stories you are telling to your families! During our monthly meeting, 2:30-4:00 in the Community Room (next to Tango Café) at Columbia Bank, we will use a simple format to invite participants to briefly share a story that reflects something you value enough to pass along to a family member.

Below are a list of statements we hope will tickle your story-telling imagination. Each person who wants to share a story from one of those statements will be given the microphone.

For those who are willing to be videotaped so you can share your story via video with family members, Chuck Smith (of Video Smith fame) will record your story. A copy will be available to you, plus Geezer Forum will keep a copy for possible future use.

Share a story about what you know now that you wish you had known as a youth.

Share a story about what would you like your grandkids to remember you by.

Share a story about some decision you made that, if you could relive that time, you would like to take back.

Share a story about who was your best teacher - parent, teacher or someone else, and what you learned from them.

Share a story about personality attributes you feel are most important.

Share a story about a failure that taught you a life-lesson you still follow. Share a story about what age you think the average person becomes "grown up”

If you choose to share a little story at this Geezer Forum, consider it a rehearsal for when/if you next get together with someone from your family. If you choose not to share a story at the forum, please reflect on the stories you’ve already shared with family members — and what other stories you want to share with them.

We hope our gathering on Dec. 13, 2:30-4 p.m., will warm up your imaginations for when you share some holiday conversation with family members — in person, on the phone or even Zoom. They need to know and be reminded of the values you believe are important to live by. Your legacy depends on your stories.

Paul Graves, M.Div., is Lead Geezer-in-Training of Elder Advocates, a consulting ministry on aging issues. Paul can be contacted at 208-610-4971 or elderadvocates@nctv.com.