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.
1 comment:
Hi Bonnie,
I'm writing from StoryCorps to let you know we saw your blog post about your family's experience participating in a StoryCorps interview. I'm so glad you had a powerful interview. The way you describe the experience of talking with an listening to your family is exactly what keeps the project going.
I wanted to write to let you know about a new initiative we're launching this year. StoryCorps is asking the whole country to set aside one hour on Friday, November 28th, the day after Thanksgiving, to record a conversation with a friend or loved one. We're declaring this day the National Day of Listening. We launched a website (www.nationaldayoflistening.org) with more information and tips for a Do-it-Yourself style interview as well as a video walking through an interview. Since so many Americans aren't able to make it to a StoryCorps recording booth, we're making it easier for everyone to share those feelings you and your family have experienced in their own homes.
Again, thank you for participating in an interview and writing about it on your blog. Please share the idea of National Day of Listening and these Do-it-Yourself tools with family and friends and help us make the experience of listening as an act of love even more accessible.
Thank you again,
Kathleen
StoryCorps
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