The impact of writing a family memoir

Publishing the Down The Road (@ Amazon ) family memoir, Dave and I noticed that both of us developed a renewed respect and increased gratitude for our ancestors. 

While we all know in the back of our minds historical events like the Great Wars, the Great Depression, the fight for Equality, and others... we all know that these times sparked massive change across the globe - making our lives so much better today.  

However actually reading in their own words how they felt, what daily life was like, I mean - it had such a huge affect on us. 

We witnessed Maria (Dave’s grandmother) survive many challenges and haunting experiences before emigrating to Canada to marry Dave's Grandfather. She loved life here, adored her husband and lovingly raised her children to become wonderful people.

We discovered a renewed respect for Dave’s grandmother who braved a 2-week journey all by herself. Starting with a long trip by train and passenger ship, then train again – with stop-overs in-between. 

Can you imagine the courage it took for a woman

 to travel to another country, by herself,  in the early 1900’s? 

Because her lifespan covered the Great Wars and Great Depression, we saw how the every-day citizen survived, and how their lives were affected by these events. Her children enjoyed a lovely, poor but happy upbringing. The stories shared by Dave’s father showed connection to areas that we also knew well, as Dave too grew up in the same area. 

Her eldest son, Tony's childhood was over when his father died and he had to help bring in enough money for the family. Later in life he became a Canadian politician, helping to spark positive change including preserving wildlife habitat. Maria's second son, Frank is Dave's father and he shared his humorous look at growing up in the Okanagan.  

Dave was so moved by their stories that he closed Down The Road  (@ Amazon ) with a view into how this memoir impacted him personally: 

 

"When I was busy compiling the stories that make up this book, I was surprised to learn of the many parallels between my life and that of Frank, my father. 

For instance, I had no idea that as young kids we both explored the small, grassy hummock called Baldy Mountain in Kelowna."

We realize more than ever before, how without their survival, without their courage, the our lives would be much more difficult. 

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