Phase 2 - Collection of Stories

This is the most important phase. To share stories, I need stories. How many? Three from each of you. Now, before you tell me to forget it, listen a bit more. You have until March 2004 to get all three stories to me. The first one I would need by the time I get your scarf to you. Stories can be written, oral (tape recorded), or video taped. At future mass get-togethers (namely Family Reunions), I'll bring a tape recorder at which you can tell stories there. Those in the military, send me letters with remembrances of times past when you've got nothing else to write.

What stories to tell? I know many of you, mostly my kids, who'd say that you have no stories. Everything about you, your life, your past, etc. is part of a grand story. For this project, there are three categories, for which I'd like one from each category.

1. You: Tell me about who you are and what makes you you
2. Important experience: What was an important experience in your life? How has it made a difference in who you are?
3. National experience: Think back throughout your life. Pick any national event and tell me your memories and thoughts of it. What did it mean to you? How did it change you?

I want artifacts of you through this process. Remember, you're talking to me. This isn't some assignment for school. I'm not a stranger. This is telling someone who really cares about each of you aspects of your life that you want me and your family to know.