A life story shines brightest when it’s illuminated by small, meaningful moments that have left a lasting impression.
Our ultimate goal is to hone in on those persistent memories that linger, haunt, pulse, or glisten in the quiet corners of the mind.
Here are a few excerpts from our interviews:
Grandma’s House
In her kitchen, there was a linoleum floor with big red and white squares. As we walked in the door in a line, one by one, she’d stand in front of her stove and give us each a hug. Then she’d give us good things to eat. Often, it was simply a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with peaches. It wouldn’t take too long before I’d be napping on the couch, snuggled up with a blanket.
Saying Goodbye to Dad
“I could see on the monitor next to Dad that his breathing and heart rate were changing, so I called the nurse, who said, “Your dad is in the process of dying, but he can hear whatever it is that you want to say to him.” So I talked to him, told him I loved him, and expressed my appreciation for what a great husband, father, and grandfather he was.”
Bridgeman’s Soda Date
“Our son had a little girlfriend when he was maybe ten or eleven years old. One time, he wanted to meet her at Bridgeman’s for a soda in Golden Valley, which is now the location of Good Day Café. Susie and I dropped him off and watched them through the window from our car. They were sitting at the counter, with a stool between them. Eventually, one of them moved over a stool, so then they were sitting right next to each other.”
End of the War
“The war ended while we were still living in that apartment. Sirens began to sound, and people rushed into the streets to celebrate. This was 1945, so I was very young, but it was such a momentous time that I recall being out there in the midst of it, with my parents and people screaming and yelling all around me. Everybody was so excited.”
Mom’s Pretty Dresses
“I recall that she had two printed dresses, one red and one blue. Sometimes, when I was a little boy and the only one at home with her while the older kids were at school, I would say, ‘Mom, you’re sure pretty.’ I remember she’d grab me and pull me into her tummy, giving me a hug.”
Winter Time Fun
In winter, we had a lot of fun digging in the deep drifts that used to blow in from the field due to blizzards. When dressed to go out, we looked like a bunch of ragamuffins with wool scarves tied around our noses and mouths. As we breathed through the scarves, frost collected on the outside of the scarves. Once, we dug a big round hole almost ten feet deep with steps carved into the side like a staircase.
We’ll transform your memories into a beautiful keepsake.
