The Greatest Gift

Unidentified family, circa 1920.

I have always struggled with coming up with gifts for my mom on Mother's Day.  I completely adore her, but I never know what to get her to show that.  Luckily, she is  gracious and usually fine with a card or a hug.  Maybe this year, I will give her the greatest gift...

Floyd Hamilton family, four adults and 5 children. unidentified, standing beside log cabin.

In college I had an assignment to conduct a life history interview of someone who inspired me. I picked my favorite teacher in high school. I spent three hours with her (and an old-school iPod) just listening to story upon story of her experience growing up in Germany during WWII. I was completely blown away by how interesting someone’s life’s story could be. After that assignment I realized I could have this great moment of connection and learning with anyone who would agree to sit down to be interviewed. I started with my Grandma, who had been diagnosed with cancer, and it completely shifted my relationship with her. She had always been the mythical creature of a Grandparent- kind, loving, fun- but lacking a backstory (I realized, I had never asked). During the interview I had the chance to pose questions about her childhood, old friends, her successes and failures, her marriage, and her children (including my mom). I got let into secrets I would have never known. I think she got to get a few things off her shoulders that she may not have imagined sharing. That day, our relationship changed--it deepened. I realized I had never taken time to really see her outside of her role as Grandma, until then. I am so glad I had those hours with her, and heard all those stories before she passed away the next year. During the whole interview my Grandpa kept finding excuses to shuffle by to stick his head in the room. I'm not sure if he was desperate to hear what she was saying or a little envious that she was getting the spotlight (later he asked when he would get his turn). It was in that moment that I discovered "the greatest gift". Really sitting with someone, asking, and listening to them is the greatest gift. It is a gift for them and a gift for yourself.

This year seems like the year. We are all spending more time at home, breaking old patterns, seeing more of each other. Maybe it's the year you give your Mom or loved one an oral history interview for Mother's Day.

Prep:

1. Find a recording device (Phone, computer, iPod with mic, there are apps available too)
2. Send a nice invite to your interviewee and let them know it is a gift. You want to sit down and record a life history interview with them. Set a time and place for the interview.
3. Create a script of about 10 open-ended questions to get the talking going.
4. After the interview is completed, decide how you might use the recording. You could save it and send a copy to your interviewee, you could create a story, poem or piece of art based on the interview, you could donate the interview to a local history museum (with permission) to add to their archives. It's up to you and your storyteller.

Here are some links to help you prepare:

• Ideas for interview questions to get you started. Remember, you should make a script, but don't feel you need to stick to the script. Follow the story, and keep questions open (not yes or no).
• StoryCorps has excellent examples of oral histories and even art projects/animations that were created from the results. Here is their guide to getting started.
• Here are some examples of Mother's Day interviews you can listen to.

Did you do an oral history interview for Mother's Day? Share your tips in the comments or #athomewithBCHS.