Yesterday afternoon we had a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity to speak our shared story within the confines of a mobile recording studio.We were invited by State Farm Insurance, one of the sponsors of StoryCorps, a neat program that is heard on NPR, to share the story of our journey on a 40 minute recording that will be filed and saved in the Library of Congress. While a small fraction of the stories recorded do make it on the air or on the web page, it is really not about that. StoryCorps is about listening to each other share their own unique stories. It is a celebration of family, friendship, and community and all the experiences that occur.
The StoryCorps web page was excellent with all the details of what to expect and how to prepare for the interview/exchange. I prepared by selecting several key 'starter questions' and printing them for reference. Alex, our StoryCorps facilitator was also so helpful and kind as she guided us along in the process. She even included our story in an entry she added to the StoryCorps Blog
Forty minutes may seem like a long time to fill, but among family, the moments fly. We talked more in a dialogue fashion than an interview type conversation...however, Randy did serve as the unofficial 'interviewer'. We smiled as we talked about memories of Greg, we laughed as Steve shared some stories of boyhood adventures with Greg.
We grieved anew when we relived the events of January 17, 2003. Amazing how time, years even, passes yet the memories are seared forever in our hearts and minds. One thing I recounted was the hurt I saw in the eyes of others (family, church family, friends and neighbors). We truly are not islands that live lives independent of others...when one hurts we all hurt.
Steve talked about how much he missed the companionship and love of his brother. He talked about how he took Greg's love, friendship, and acceptance for granted. Now, it is gone on this side of heaven. He spoke about the quiet nights that he and Greg would spend together out on the old swing set-fort that the boys had built with Randy...just swinging and talking about life.
We also talked about the journey Steve has had from coma to rehab to daily pushing through the lingering effects of brain injury. Many aspects have been nightmarish. But we have been witnesses to the miraculous in the midst of impossibilities, too.
Finally we talked about purpose in the midst of it all. We talked about the school assemblies through Motivational Media Assemblies that have been and will be. The young lives that will be saved because of the impact of the story. I also rejoice that with each life saved, a mother and father will not experience grieving through a memorial service, or will not be caring for permanently disabled children due to a car crash.
The HOPE that we all cling to is knowing that some day we will be united again. We will be together with Greg. Steve will be restored. We will love and laugh and live as God intended us to be.
