November is National Family Stories Month

“Unlike stories from books, family stories are always free and completely portable. You don’t even need to have the lights on to share with your child a story about your day, about their day, about your childhood or their grandma’s.” — Elaine Reese

By Jerod Santek, Founding & Artistic Director, Write On, Door County

Among the many celebrations the month of November brings, this one may be overlooked. November is Family Stories Month. And while I realize that family stories should be shared and celebrated every month of the year, it’s nice to know there is a month set aside to call attention to the importance of sharing stories.

About Family Stories Month
From a Family Stories Month website: 

Family Stories Month brings families closer together every November. This is because family traditions and ancestral stories hold a special place in everyone’s life. In fact, remaining in touch with our roots is the need of the hour in this modern world where people are more connected to their laptops and mobile phones than they are to other people. To celebrate the month to the fullest, dig up some old family photos and try to remember some great stories you heard from your parents and grandparents. November is the perfect time to revive the past and fondly reflect on your family history!

Let Us Help You Tell Your Story
Our on-going Memoir Mondays program is a free one-hour session dedicated to helping people recall stories of their lives and get them down on paper. While Family Stories Month celebrates oral storytelling, it is such a gift to have stories written down that can be shared with future generations, wherever they may be.  I hope you can join us and create stories to share with your families. And if your family is visiting for the holidays, bring them along! Everyone is welcome! No writing experience is necessary and, while the program was designed with seniors in mind, all are welcome no matter their age.

How You Can Help Us Help You!
We would love to expand our Memoir Monday program, but need your help! If you are interested in facilitating sessions, please email me (contact below). We currently hold sessions at Scandia Village in Sister Bay, the Aging and Disabilities Resource Center in Sturgeon Bay, and here at Write On. If you have suggestions for other locations, please let me know.