A Grandpas Not | Page 7

along with
their histories, will move along to your children and grandchildren. In
every culture, 'grandpa and grandma stories', along with 'mom and dad
stories,' are part of that inheritance.
When youngsters know that Grandpa or Grandma wrote a story
expressly for them, that more than qualifies the story for the special
collection of treasures to be shared with close friends, presented at
school as a show-and-tell, and eventually absorbed into the treasured
memorabilia of childhood.
Story Openers
Are you groping for words to open a story? Here are a few starters: -
My future might have been prophesied from these events... - Let me tell
you about.É - Here, get under the shawl with me and listen to this
hair-raising story. It was a wild and woolly.É - During my early years.É
- Long ago and far away.É (still an all-time favorite) - Once upon a
time.É (another treasure) - I am uncertain about what my memory truly
recalls of these events but there I was.É - I was about 8 years old when
this happened. One morning.É - My older brother/sister had a tendency
to.É and this once caused.É -As children, we often.É -I am reminded of
the time.É -There was a particular kind of.É -If only I could have.É
-One day I was watching.É -It was in the Fall of 19xx.É -I particularly
recall.É -The toys I remember.É -Sometimes, in the dark of night, when
the wind howls through the eaves, I think back to the time when.É
--'Twas a dark and stormy night.É (another Old Faithful)

Grandchild and grandparent know they enjoy being together, and
storytelling is part of the fun; also, grandchildren know that grandmas
and grandpas usually have fascinating memories of their childhood and
about what happened to the family over the years. Grandchildren want
to enter this little bit of grandma and grandpa's world. Perceptive
grandparents see the world through a grandchild's imagination. Using
the anticipation generated by a familiar opening phrase or sentence to
set the stage works well for both storyteller and listener.
Grandparent-grandchild interaction is more than a custom; it is a deep
and powerful bond. By its very nature, the alliance is biological and
cultural, and molded by trial-and-error through the hazards of millennia.
It is an alliance not to be treated casually; it demands nourishment, and
storytelling by a family's elders is an essential ingredient.
Grandparent-Grandchild Interview
A fun way to open lines of communications while visiting
grandchildren, be they nearby or far away, is the audiotaped interview.
Living nearby, the grandchild knows grandma and grandpa, they're part
of everyday life. Far away is different, geography causes gaps. The
one-on-one interview builds self-esteem and confidence in a youngster.
It's an excellent learning experience, and creates a record of lasting
memories for the family's archives.
An interview structures a conversation. Men are often as reticent as
women are eloquent: women are much more socially oriented than men
and communicate easier. However, the interview technique can be a
starter to work through Grandpa's reserve. It quickly engages the
participants in a dialogue and is as much fun for one as for the other.
Vague questions by adults should be avoided; they're confusing.
Let's set up an interview.
Grandma and Grandpa plan to visit Son or Daughter and the
Grandchildren. The visit will include Grandpa or Grandma being
interviewed by Grandchild.
In arranging the visit, Grandma or Grandpa discusses with Son or
Daughter what they have in mind. A tape recorder or camcorder, in
good working order, is available or will be brought along. It's fine with
Son/Daughter and they agree to prepare Grandchild, including a set of
preliminary questions. It's a fun experience, but don't insist having an
audience that will make anyone present self-conscious or

uncomfortable.
When all concerned are ready (recorder checked and set up, the date,
time, place, names, occasion, and whatever else considered prefatory
has been recorded in advance) Grandchild opens with the first question.
In this example, Grandpa is being interviewed.
In responding, Grandpa avoids the simple 'yes' or 'no' answer even
when such might suffice. Sure, Grandpa could respond with 'Yes' or
'No' to 'Grandpa, is your first name 'Tom'.' But wouldn't it be more fun
if Grandpa transformed his reply into family lore with 'Yes, it is, and let
me tell you how I got that name. The Sunday after I was born, my Dad
hooked ol' Dobbin to the sleigh to take us all to....' and he's away into
another bit of Lore Americana.
Unless agreed to in advance, questions and answers are serious.
Knowing what a young grandchild likes to talk about is important and
can focus the interview.
Youngsters, though, have minds of their own and might well pop an
unexpected question. Using 'we' or 'us' and encouraging inputs from
Grandchild keeps