My brother-in-law, who is notorious for his lack of intelligence, came up with a brilliant idea and I felt the need to share it with everyone.
He recently began recording short interviews with his parents in hopes of sharing these tidbits with our future progeny. The topics for his interviews would be specific to their upbringing back in Palestine as well as other interesting stories from their past.
What an ingenious way to share the past with our future!
Every so often, I find myself thinking about the countless sittings with my parents and grandparents back in Pakistan and the various tales they’ve shared with me, wishing I could impart these gems to my children (and even their children). And here is a simple yet powerful way to accomplish that!
So I salute you dear Moutasem for a simple idea that even 7-yr old Humza could have thought of, but one that escaped his 34-yr old father.
Just don’t call it genocide
1 week ago
11 comments:
Oh, that is one fine idea!
Eid Mubarak, dear brother, to you and your family!
Great idea. I thought of doing something similar with my Nana but when I sat down with him I lost the nerve. It just seemed awkward, especially because a lot of his history (living through the Partition) was quite painful. I did manage to get some information from him though, and I cherish it now after his passing.
I've tried to get information about my parents' childhood from them but all I get are scattered tidbits here and there. They are less than forthcoming. I may have to use all my lawyerly interviewing skills on them one day though. I am infinetly curious about their past.
I've also been meaning to tell you that I absolutely loved loved loved Road to Mecca. I can see why its your favorite book and its definetly up there for me too.
aww you're so bad to your poor relative! lol. Seriously though, good idea. I've been doing that since three years ago, sometimes with a vid, sometimes with the dictation machine. Works well. Have an archive already!
A brilliant idea :)
Or get a camcorder and film it. Then you can see the accompanying animated gestures that go along with the story :D
AA- Suroor,
Thank you sis....Eid Mubarak to you and all your loved ones as well!
AA- Muse,
"I've tried to get information about my parents' childhood from them but all I get are scattered tidbits here and there. They are less than forthcoming."
Sounds alot like my parents...I'm no lawyer, just a good nag. I'll use those skills until I get a worthwhile story. ;-)
And I'm glad you enjoyed the Muhammad Asad autobiography...not sure why its not more popular, especially with Muslims.
AA- Unique,
"aww you're so bad to your poor relative!"
Don't feel bad for him...he dishes out more than I could ever give him back.
And its cool to see others have already jumped on this powerful idea...three years eh? Must have a huge archive!
AA- Sumera,
The thing with the video cam is that most people are shy to open up, especially my parents. The audio devices seems like a perfect for my old school parents. Besides, the only gesture my dad would give in front of the cam would be a pissed look! LOL!
Good stuff, i keep a diary for my kids, they'll get it inshallah when i pass, hopefully they can read my handwriting :)
AA
i thought about this some more, technically u are leaving a history for your kids, this blog that you are doing is something that your kids will look at one day in their old age and be able to pass on to their kids as well. we all do it whether it's by story telling old school style or leveraging of new school technology.
ws
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