I have always been fascinated by the power of memories and the stories that shape our lives. The little, seemingly mundane moments often hold the most meaning and significance, yet they can be so easily forgotten or lost over time. I love being mesmerised by a simple connection of yarns or those moments we call coincidences, which is a poor word for what it could be.
Take for example, a memory from my childhood that was stirred by the passing of a beloved TV actress. I recall a neighbour, Mrs B, who lived in the apartment building I grew up in. Mrs B would sit in front of her TV and watch Laverne & Shirley on full blast. She was so enamoured with the show that she saw herself as an older version of one of the characters. This neighbour would often recite lines from the show's opening, of which I still remember the "schlemiel, schlimazel" chant, to anyone who crossed her path, including us kids. Back then, the building was twelve apartments with revolving doors for us kids to play and plot.
The death of Cindy Williams, the actress who played Shirley, reminded me of this woman from my childhood and sparked a wave of nostalgia. I found myself wondering what had become of Mrs B and what other memories and stories she had to share. I still remember a few. Many were sad, but most were full of optimism.
This is why I believe it's so important to document and preserve these stories. They may seem small and inconsequential, but they are the building blocks of our lives and help define who we are. In this instance, Mrs B had an unacknowledged but lasting impact on me. She and her apartment with Cindy Williams' Shirley sheltered me when I needed it most.
“As the founder of Talking Story, I aim to create a service for individuals, families and organisations to help document and preserve their stories, big or small, for future generations to cherish and learn from.”
Join me on this exciting journey, and keep an eye on this blog as we delve into the significance of capturing and sharing our personal narratives. If you're interested in Talking Story (the link is just a tester) and want to learn more, please don't hesitate to reach out. And, if you're based in South East Queensland, we're offering a unique opportunity for you to be one of the first to participate in our pilot service testing program and experience a Talking Story session for free! Get in touch.