Missing Pieces
Nov 13th, 2007 | By Mike | Category: Papa PrattleMy father was always reluctant to share stories from his past. Mom was the story teller.
Dad has been gone for a few years now, and only a handful of stories from his past remain to be recounted.
Dad had his kids late in life, and so there was a pretty big generation gap between us. I left home at an early age (17) and joined the military. When I got out of the military after 10 years, I purposefully moved to the part of the country where he and Mom settled to be closer to them in their golden years. Dad passed away a few years later. Although Dad lived until he was 79, I only got to spend a total of 18-19 years of my life with him. Those last three years with him were great, but I wish I had had more.
I never really knew much about Dad’s past. Don’t misunderstand, he didn’t leave us, he just didn’t like to talk about his childhood or formative years. He was born during the great depression, and grew up in a time of turmoil (WWII) and was pretty "Old School" about a lot of things. I guess I understand why he might have been so tight lipped about his past. I just wish he had been more open.
You don’t always have to tell your kids anecdotal stories, you know, the ones you tell to prove your point. Tell them the goofy stories. Tell them about the time you got " pants’d" in the middle of a Soccer Game in front of the girl you were trying to impress, or maybe the one about doing the splits in the cafeteria when you stepped in some spilled pudding. It humanizes you. It softens you. It endears you.
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November 14th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
This is sooo true!! Thanks for the reminder…when I think about it, I’m sad how little I know about my grandparents’ lives when they were younger, and now it’s too late to ask them. I still have time to find out about my parents. And I’ll make sure my kids know about my life. Great blog, excellent post.
November 14th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
@Karen C.
I’m actually thinking about starting a “prequel” diary. I want to just jot down everything I remember about me, my parents and my siblings. I want to ask my siblings to do the same for their kids. I am kid #5 out of 7, and there is quite an age gap between me and the eldest. I’m sure he has more memories of our parents than I do. It would be nice for all the cousins (our kids) to cross reference stories some time in the distant future.
Glad you like the blog. Don’t be a stranger.
November 14th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
I love the dinner story, Jen had already told me of it on the phone but extra fun to read too.
When I get a chance, I want to go thru many of your others because I love the way you write - very talented, Mike.
I’m responding to this one to thank you for bringing your family up after so many years. Jenny was 17 when she went away too.
I love & miss you all so very much and Jenny & I have a kind of relationship I wish all Moms & daughters could have. She has a blessed life with you & I am so very proud of that as well.
love you,
your mother-in-law
November 18th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
About your comment to Karen C.
I think a prequel diary is an excellent idea. Family history recounted in the modern day. Do you think the rest of the family will be reponsive?
November 18th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
@Buchterkind,
I’ll get mine started for my kids and I’ll ask the other siblings. You work on your parents. We’ll meet somewhere in the middle.
Love you.
Uncle Mike
November 19th, 2007 at 3:49 am
Good stuff. You make great points in your post and comments. I used to be very cavalier about family history, but lately I have slacked. This helps me keep that thought current. Well done.
November 19th, 2007 at 10:33 am
@Joe,
Thanks.
There is nothing more important to me than family memories. Photographs are a close second. My dad kept all the photo albums in an accessible place in his house. When I was still living under his roof he used to tell us kids “In case of a fire save the photo albums. Everything else can be replaced.” These simple words from an old man have clung tenaciously to every fiber of my being. He didn’t say “I love you” all that often (due to being raised in a different era), but his actions spoke volumes.
February 9th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Just a thot in re.: “missing pieces”….
Your wife outta tell your son the scouting adventure of “the flash light in the outhouse” story. Pretty memorable to me.