Questions and Idea prompts

Thanks all for the great messages, I'm excited to get started. I will be conducting 1 hr zoom meetings and we can do one on one or have a few people at a time, if there was a shared story to discuss. (Like the time Chris got blamed for messing up Pa's boat, but it was Andy and ?? who stole it the night before?). If the time is too short we can plan to go a little longer or pick it up another day.

Who wants to go first? ;)

Below are some example questions that could help come up with some good stories to share. Read them in regards to your time spent at the lake or with family. If there are any that stand out let me know and we can start there. Otherwise, we will see where the conversation leads.

  1. Can you tell me about one of your happiest memories at the lake?

  2. Can you tell me about one of your most difficult memories?

  3. What is be a crazy adventure that you would like to tell me about?

  4. Can you tell me about someone who has had a big influence on your life? What lessons did that person teach you?

  5. What do you feel most grateful for in your life?

  6. What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?

  7. What is your favorite memory at the lake?

  8. Can you remember a time when you were scared?

  9. Do you have any regrets?

  10. What are your hopes for younger generations?

  11. Tell me about your first summer love.

  12. What would you want the younger generations to know?

  13. What has been the hardest thing you have had to do?



The letter

Dear family, 

 

I have been dreaming about working on this project for a while now. Each of us has spent a significant portion of our lives at X lake and it has shaped us individually. But it has also shaped our family history and interactions in a unique way. 

 

As I've listened to some of you throughout the years, I've heard some amazing stories worthy of recording for future generations. There is also a common thread that follows each generation. Many of us learned to swim at the lake, met our first love, went skinny dipping under the late-night summer sky, etc. Some of these stories are exceptional, and currently reside within us or are occasionally shared at the dinner table.  I want to record these stories and make them available as a multi-generational memoir. 

 

My first step is to conduct video interviews, find that one or two stories that you want shared and go from there. Another part of the project would look into past recordings and notes. The goal is to create an easy and fun to read book, where we share love, laughter and loss. All while honoring our unique family, the ties that we have and celebrating the cycle that continues throughout the generations.

 

In the event that this were to become more than just a fun family project. There are questions (on my end) about bringing attention to the family name, Which when/if the time comes, I would love people's input. But if this is a concern it can easily be remedied by changing names. Although, there is also pride in sharing the family name. Another thing I've noted is that X lake has become busier in the last few years and I would hate to draw further attention to our sacred space. So, my solution to this is to just call the place "the Lake" and not disclose a location.

 

I am looking forward to starting this project and hope you share the excitement I hold for it. 

Please feel free to share your thoughts and I do hope you would want to be a part of this project. 

 

Much love, 

Polly