I have two projects right now. Well, I have a lot more than 2, but these are on the top of the literal paper stack. The first are my son’s applications to high school. It’s a huge undertaking; one I frankly wasn’t prepared for. We live in a large city, one with many, many options for education. That’s both good and bad. We’ve scheduled tours, testing, shadow days, auditions, you name it. And it only makes me wonder how much crazier this will be in 4 more years when he’s ready for college (not to mention the 2 after him)?!
Directly under the 2013 High School applications is my grandmother’s (Holly Guthrie’s) 1930 High School memory book. Project #2 is identifying her high school mates for the Unclaimed Ancestor blog. Holly was the valedictorian of Mullin High School in Mills County, Texas in 1930. And to my never-ending delight she kept a memory book. Nearly every page is full of photos, newspaper clippings, notes from friends, complete with a best friend and a high school sweetheart. It is truly priceless and contains photos that I’m sure other families will be thrilled to have as well. I discovered it, like all great finds, accidentally.
My mother and I were cleaning out my grandfather’s house after his death. Holly had died 6 years earlier, but after 40+ years of marriage you don’t throw anything away! So, with wild abandon, mom and I were tossing things to the wind. Before you judge me too harshly, keep in mind that as a young adult of the depression my grandfather loathed to get rid of anything. Everything might be used someday! Literally 3 gallon-sized bags of old rubber bands, stacks and stacks of magazines he was never going to read; the man was on the verge of hoarding.
In my grandmother’s less cluttered area was the carefully protected memory book; pages falling out but otherwise in great shape. I find myself constantly re-examining this book. Every time I find a new clue about the kind of fun-loving yet studious 18 year old my grandmother was. I may have more than the normal amount of mom trepidation on how to help prepare my 14 year old for a more adult world. Holly’s memories help me remember how important these years are for growing, for living, for experiencing all that non-mom stuff that helps a teen become an adult.
And as the stress of applying to and paying for college will begin soon enough, it helps to remember that Holly’s parents were farmers with little more than an eighth grade education in what is still considered the middle-of-nowhere Texas. Yet they managed to send all 11 of their children to college. In the meantime, I will settle for my son having half as much fun as his great-grandmother. (maybe minus the high school sweetheart.)
Good point Chris. We do feel like FB is our digital scrapbook, but it’s not as accessible. I notice that too when I compare my 14 year old’s actual baby photo album – I can always take it off the shelf and flip through it. My 3 year old however has only digital photos all over FB and my hard drive. Moral of the story: make a memory book!
Thanks for the comment!
Jodi
The community built during those formative years is probably best reflected in those memory books. In my own life, there is a former high school classmate dying right now. And to its credit, Facebook has allowed us to create a community to reach out to him and let him know we support him and are praying for him. The best part is all of the old pictures that people are posting of those high school days.
Unfortunately, to Facebook’s discredit, I fear my own kids won’t have their pictures to share in 30 years. It’s the one thing that I find most concerning about social media. Social media is so focused on the here and now. It’s nice to capture the memories easily and often, but it creates an environment where images are a dime a dozen and they are easily discarded with no thought of the long-term need for reflection.
Loved this; finding old and very personal papers is one of the best things in family research!
Thanks so much Susan!
Great piece of writing!