Most early memories are...

My niece is fascinated with family history and wanted to know more about her father's childhood. While I couldn't recall many specific details, I did remember a kaleidoscope of fleeting images. Early memories often resemble this, as our brains process and store information differently during early childhood. This phenomenon, known as childhood amnesia, is common and can make it difficult to remember events from our earliest years.

As young children, we experience the world through strong sensory impressions: sights, sounds, smells, and feelings. These vivid snapshots form the foundation of our early memories, but they often lack a clear narrative structure. It's like having a collection of puzzle pieces without the box to guide us.

As we age, our brains begin to connect these fragments into a more coherent story. We add context, emotions, and relationships to create a narrative that makes sense. However, this reconstruction process can also lead to inaccuracies or distortions. Each time we revisit a memory, we may blend it with new information or experiences, shaping the story in subtle ways."

Our brains are constantly changing and growing. This development can affect how we remember things. As our neural pathways reorganize, early memories may become fragmented or even lost. This is why it's often difficult to recall specific details from our earliest years.

While childhood amnesia can make it challenging to remember the past, the stories we share and the memories we cherish can help us connect with our loved ones and understand our own history. Even if our recollections are imperfect, they offer valuable insights into who we are and where we come from. Every picture tells a story, we just don’t know if the story is partial, a true story or a blending of many truths. I do know that I think my Niece was satisfied with the stories I shared with her.

A Tale of Friendship and Adventure how to tell a story

It's important to use simple language, focus on core themes and emotions, and provide repetitive elements to aid young children and seniors with dementia comprehension and engagement. The goal is to create an enjoyable and accessible experience that brings joy and sparks memories. As many of you know, I have a friend who has vascular dementia, and he is moving quickly to a point where his memory will fade. I listened as another friend told him a story about friendship.

Jack started his story with Once upon a time, in a small town nestled by the rolling hills, there lived a wise and kind-hearted old man named Steve. Steve was known for his warm smile, twinkling eyes, and his never-ending stories that captivated the hearts of everyone he met.

 One sunny morning, as Steve sat on his favourite bench in the park, he noticed a timid figure approaching. It was a young boy named Billy, whose eyes shimmered with curiosity and wonder. Steve sensed something special about him and invited him to sit beside him on the bench.

With a gentle voice and simple words, Steve began to tell Billy a story. It was a tale of two unlikely friends, a clever fox named Felix and a brave rabbit named Rosie. The two of them lived in the enchanting forest just beyond the town.

 Felix was known for his cunning ways, always finding a solution to any problem. Rosie, on the other hand, was courageous and never shied away from an adventure. Together, they embarked on a journey to find a magical gem that was said to grant any wish.

 As Steve continued the story, he carefully described the beautiful forest with tall trees, colourful flowers, and sparkling streams, painting a vivid picture in Billy's mind.

 He explained how Felix and Rosie encountered obstacles along the way, such as a roaring river and a dark cave filled with mysterious sounds. But their friendship and determination helped them overcome these challenges. Steve highlighted the importance of teamwork, resilience, and never giving up, all values he held dear.

 Throughout the story, Steve repeated key phrases and introduced recurring characters, making it easier for Billy to follow along. He also encouraged Billy to ask questions, allowing him to engage actively in the storytelling experience.

 As the story reached its climax, with Felix and Rosie discovering the magical gem hidden deep in a secret grove, Steve described the profound joy and happiness they felt. He emphasized that true treasures are often found in the bonds we form and the memories we create.

 With a contented smile, Steve concluded the tale, and Billy's eyes sparkled with delight. The story had taken them on a wondrous adventure, evoking emotions of bravery, friendship, and the beauty of nature. Steve and Billy sat there for a while longer, basking in the shared experience.

Jack ended his story as follows:

In the following days, Billy returned to the park, eager to hear more stories from Steve. They became the best of friends, cherishing each moment they spent together. Steve, with his stories filled with warmth and simplicity, continued to touch the hearts of everyone he met, leaving a lasting legacy of love and imagination.

Stories touch us and help us reach out to others and connect at an emotional level. 

The Storytelling Chairs

Seven wooden storytelling chairs sit at the heart of the COVID in the House of Old exhibit, speaking to seven lives indelibly altered by the COVID pandemic’s spread through long-term care. Each individual represented by a chair stands in place for hundreds or thousands of Canadians who faced similar circumstances.

The chairs’ audios were culled from a series of interviews conducted over the Fall of 2021. Daughters, sons, and grandchildren told tales of devastating loss. Survivor residents spoke of painful separation. Workers described confusion, exhaustion and terrible stress.

Yet, the people profiled here are much more than casualties of history. Their stories are also about aspiration, accomplishment, enthusiasm, good times, bravery and deep personal connection. A representational object is mounted on the back of each chair, while paper “Valentine” acknowledgements, lovingly created by family, friends and project researchers, rest on each seat.

Bob’s Chair

Bob was a deeply loved husband, father, and grandfather. He had a successful career at BC Tel and was active in recreational sports on Vancouver’s North Shore. He died of COVID at Lynn Valley Care Centre in April 2020. Listen to the 5-minute audio about Bob here or click on the chair. Bob’s Chair – COVID in the House of Old

Maggie’s Chair

Maggie, born in Toronto to parents from Trinidad and Jamaica, was a secretary, a single mother, a volunteer and a devoted grandmother. She died of COVID in Toronto’s Wellesley Central Place in April 2020. Listen to the 5-minutes audio about Maggie here or click on the chair.

Maggie’s Chair – COVID in the House of Old

Moon’s Chair

Moon was born, married and made a family in Hong Kong. Moving to Vancouver in the 1990s, she enjoyed bingo, cooking, volunteering and family time. She dies of COVID in Little Mountain Place in December 2020. Listen to the 5-minute audio about Moon here. Moon’s Chair – COVID in the House of Old

Esther’s Chair

Esther is a care aide (PSW) in a long-term care facility in Toronto. A registered nurse originally from Uganda, Esther has the ambition and passion to build a fulfilling career in Canada’s healthcare system as a nurse. Listen to the five-minute audio of Esther here. Esther’s Chair – COVID in the House of Old

Jacobus’ Chair

Jacobus was born in the Netherlands. A father and a grandfather, he left his long-term care facility in Ontario in July 2020 to live with his daughter on Hornby Island, BC. Jacobus loves nature, farming, languages, and his family. Listen to the five-minute audio about Jacobus here. Jacobus’ Chair – COVID in the House of Old

Karen’s Chair

Karen was a Squamish First Nation resident of Hilltop House, a long-term care facility in Squamish, BC. She loved her son and daughter and her culture. Karen died unexpectedly in November 2021. Listen to the five-minute audio about Karen here. Karen’s Chair – COVID in the House of Old

Wikwemikong Nursing Home

The Wikwemikong Nursing Home lies on the Wikwemikong Unceded Territory in Northern Ontario (Manitoulin Island in the Great Lakes area) and holds this chair. This is a place where Indigenous and non-Indigenous elders are honoured and cared for with kindness and respect.

The Wikwemikong Nursing Home chair speaks to the Truth and Reconciliation calls for Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge and practices to be recognized as equally valid. In fact, the story of the Wiky Nursing Home community is a signpost for settler Canadians to a better way of caring for our vulnerable elders.

Nursing home residents made the paper “Valentines” that rest on the chair and cluster around its base. The objects mounted on the Wikwemikong Nursing Home chair were selected by members of the home community with input from Elder Rita Corbiere. A Wikwemikong craftsperson created the birch bark canoe and the Wikwemikong crest was carved by a student at the local high school. Listen to the five-minute audio about the Wikwemikong Nursing Home here. Wikwemikong Nursing Home – COVID in the House

Stories

I love a good story as do all of us. Stories help us understand and put order into the chaos that we live every day. We get up in the morning and we have no idea what will happen to us as we live out the story of our lives. Today we could be a hero, a victim, a villain, a bystander or a witness. Tomorrow we don't know what part we will play. Life is confusing and chaotic and mostly good.

As we look back at our lives we start to create a narrative or a story about our life so that we can become the heroes or heroines of our own story.  In ancient time we revered storytellers and held them in high esteem, today we still do but we hold the actors who play in the stories to a higher regard than the writers who create the story. 

I love my stories to be told in printed form or in the form of a song, but I will embrace a well-told story done on stage or in any visual medium. My wife loves her stories to be told in any visual form but still likes stories told in printed form. She does not fully appreciate the stories that we hear in musical form as much as I do. 

Whatever the format a good story puts order into our confusion, a good story has five components, characters, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution.The plot of a good story has a beginning, a middle and a resolution. The setting is where and when the story takes place, and the characters are the people the story is about, or who are in the story. Every story has a conflict to solve sometimes the conflict is resolved with humor, sometimes with drama. The plot centers on this conflict and the ways in which the characters attempt to resolve the problem.

As we age and look at the end of our life, we begin to think of how we can leave a legacy to those we leave behind. We start to build the statement or story of our life. Hopefully, we find the means to resolve the conflicts we have had in our lives and find a way to resolve them in a way that is not hurtful to others. 

When we look at the story of our life, who are the characters that share our story, who are the supporting cast, the good and bad people we have shared our life story with over the years. Are we the heroes in our life that we imagined we would be when we were ten years old? If we find we are not that hero, then the question becomes is it too late to become that hero or can we rewrite the last few chapters so that if we are not the hero, perhaps we will play a better part?

Life meaning is framed by styles of appearance, language, material acquisitions, and social affiliations in the quest for a solid footing in the external world. As we age we begin to look inward rather than to the outer world in our search for life meaning and a satisfactory resolution to our story.

Counterfeit

Another challenge from BrewNSpew The event is to Write a story or poem of 5 Lines or Less using the word counterfeit. Please drop by and join the challenge at Patricia’s Place. Here is the first by -Eugenia

Dang counterfeit news

Is what’s been taught for naught

Just noodle the thought

The wicked have become insipid

The whoo’s vs who’s is not amused

Here is mine, based on a movie from 1936 and a book which was written in 1984

Counterfeit lady,

Ever so Shady

Filmed in the 30’s

Did not meet with success

Recreated in the 80's with much more finesse

Stories

We love to tell and listen to stories as a species. Stories provide us with the lessons of life we need to survive, to grow, to prosper and to learn. 

For example, we cannot understand love without stories about love. Stories about love that we see in fiction, in our own lives, in our family history shape our understanding of what love is and what love is not. Stories of love and belonging that we invent or that are told to us, help us understand our own or perhaps a friends childhood. 

We only need to listen to the stories from our youth or from our friends youth; we do not need to know a great deal about the history of patterns of attachment that extend back into childhood to know how we or our friends see love. 

Past loves shadow present attachments, and take up residence within them. This, in turn, suggests that in order to talk well about them we will need to turn to texts that contain a narrative dimension, thus deepening and refining our grasp of ourselves as beings with a complicated temporal history. 

Perhaps that is why when lovers first meet, they listen with rapt attention to the stories told by their new love. They listen not only to the words, but to the emotions of those words, because the emotion gives our stories the life they need to become alive and vibrant to our new love or to our new friend.

One of Nussbaum’s central points is that the complex cognitive structure of the emotions has a narrative form — that is, the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and what we feel shape our emotional and ethical reality. 

Our stories create the paradigms in which we live our lives. The stories we read, watch and listen to help us by creating a prism in which we see the many facets of our life. However, what we watch, read, and listen to is shaped by our earliest stories of who we are, and how we do things, both individually and in our family and social groups. 

This of course is the great psychological function of literature and the reason why art can function as a form of therapy. By understanding how we perceive literature and art we can understand how we view the world, in a larger sense and gives us an understanding of our own personal philosophy of life.

The power of a story

 Each and every day as we are building our businesses, we all know the key to a successful presentation is a product being sold to the end-line consumer and/or sponsoring a new person. When I worked in sales in my youth, I tried to establish customer loyalty rather than make sales. I thought the sales would come as a result of getting loyalty.. In the sales process, you are fighting many different types of animals. For most who are in direct sales, you have 45 minutes to present a product/business concept and make a person believe in you, your product, and more importantly have them make a decision that they want what you are offering.


When you are presenting the business, it is very easy for you to get very factual and completely lose the interest of your prospect. When you tell a story about the success of someone who is using the product or have a person give a live testimonial about how much they love being a distributor, you will keep the interest of new people who are listening for the first time.

For most of us, the first time in our lives that we were ever presented with the concept of a live audience was back in kindergarten when we played "show and tell". Everyone was always interested in what you were saying because you were simply telling a story. We have all heard of the famous K.I.S.S. rule: Keep It Simple Smart.  When presenting your business or product, the key play is to tell a story and keep it simple. Everyone can relate to the grandmother, who can talk about their grandchild as the most beautiful, precious child in the world. She will make you feel as if her grandchild would be such a gift to own as your own. You need to take that same simplicity and utilize it during your presentation and create the same result - ownership of your product.

As you tell stories, people will remember those stories versus all the facts in the world. "FACTS TELL, BUT STORIES SELL." Stories should want people to get involved in your business or purchase your product because all of the success stories that you told. People love to be part of a winning team. Storytelling keeps people tied into you and your presentation. When in doubt during a presentation, tell a story in order to bring people's attention back to you. Combining the key strategy of storytelling along with the correct mindset, you can achieve your wildest dreams!