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Tuesday's Thoughtby Mary May Larmoyeux
Last week Pops and I had the privilege of hearing Agi Geva, a Holocaust survivor, speak about her experiences in the concentration camps. It was amazing to hear her tell how she and her sister managed to stay with their mother throughout the whole ordeal.
I will never forget seeing Agi roll up her sleeve to display a stamped number on her arm. Her message to the audience: "Never forget."
Like Agi, you and I have experienced events in life that our children and grandchildren will only read about. For me, Vietnam, 9/11, and Hurricane Katrina are not just words in a book.
As a teenager, I visited a friend whose brother was killed in Vietnam. Years later I watched on TV when the twin towers fell and even interviewed one of the survivors, Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell. And in September 2005 I went to Louisiana as a volunteer with my church to help feed the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Until I heard Agi speak, I never really thought much about the history that I've experienced. To me, it's so ... "usual." But after I heard her speak, I was reminded of the responsibility and privilege of sharing my walk through life with my legacy. And I was challenged to write to my grands about it.
I now plan to jot down for the grandkids memories about historical events that have happened in my lifetime. And although I've asked my mom a lot about our family history, I am reminded that I need to ask her more about her experiences in the Depression and World War II.
"History never looks like history," John W. Gardner said, "when you are living through it."
You and I are living through history. May we share our stories so future generations will never forget.
He is able,
Mary
Mary May Larmoyeux
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com
author of Help for Busy Moms: Purposeful Living to Simplify Life
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3 comments:
You are so right. I have saved newspaper headlines and articles for important historical events. The only problem with that is ...they are stashed away somewhere in the attic. If I don’t find them, someone will. Blessings, Rita
Hi, Rita! I have that same problem with historical newspaper headlines and articles. I had an idea the other day and plan to try it--slip them in plastic sleeves and put them in an "historical" notebook for the grandkids. Maybe this will work.
-- Mary
Amen! What a treasure to leave the next generation--our stories!
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