Grand Slam

When I first moved to Michigan, I wanted to reach out to my community and I ended up volunteering for a local hospital. After a short stint of working at the hospital help desk (I was very little help), I found myself working with a Creative Writing group at a retirement community. This was definitely more up my alley; I had just recently finished studying Literature at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

I loved the Creative Writing group. The elderly men and women were so proud of their words, but all of their work was handwritten and rather hard to read. They needed someone to clean up and transcribe their work for them. For quite some time, I typed up poems, short stories, prayers, songs and all the other musings of the men and women of the group.

I’ll never forget one man’s story. His work came in a large box; there was so much of it. I found his life to be absolutely fascinating. He had spent most of his life working as a minor league baseball scout and there was no doubt of his love for his job and for the game. Not only did he write about his own life, but he also included anecdotes featuring some of the greatest players/managers in baseball. I learned a lot about baseball and his stories took me back to a different time. After typing up what seemed to be his life story, I never received another box from him again.

The very last time I delivered a packet of work to the group, I was informed of the passing of the man whose work I so enjoyed. I couldn’t help but be sad, but my sadness was quickly dismissed because of something wonderful the group director told me. She told me that I had given such an amazing gift to his family. So many people pass without telling their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all of the stories they have to tell. Now, those stories will always be with his family.

Whenever I see baseball players or a game, I always think of that man, and thinking about him always reminds me to take the time and listen to the stories of the people around me. Everyone has a story.

Picture and words courtesy of guest blogger / honorary sister Bridget Roach.

Comments

[Marcie]

This girl and her two brothers show up almost daily at the dog park to exercise their elderly grandfather's seeing-eye-dog.It is such a sweet act of love and caring...and a part of holding on to their grandfather's unwritten story:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=883

[jen]

How very touching. You did a wonderful thing for the family.
I recognize the place in these photos. We were members of GFV and went regularly. We like watching those baseball games on the weekends.

[Karen]

Thanks for reminding us to get those stories on paper!! I have a list of them, but always seems to put it off for other pursuits.

[Lisa Ceaser]

What a great reminder to ask our patriarchs about their stories before it is too late. I have been wanting to get my grandmother a notebook or journal to get her stories down before they are all gone. She's all we have left.

[Claudia]

Six months after he died, my father's life story was publish in book by a local writer. This man had interviewed and documented short biographies from thiry+ senior citizen throughout our state. I helped my Dad sort his story out so it would make some sense. I'm so thankful to have it written down. He's been gone five years now and it's amazing how much of what I thought I'd always remember I've already forgotten! Which is why I'm also thankful that I had my Dad write on the backs of our very old family photos who people were - if I hadn't I'd never know who was who.

So thank you Bridget for taking the time to keep stories alive for the families of loved ones who are no longer with us.

[Kate C.]

Lovely post. And a big "Hello!" to from one Detroiter to another! :)

[carolyn]

beautiful and touching story.
(and it's bringing all the Detroiter's out of the woodwork...including me!)
thank you for sharing and for the reminder to listen to the stories of the people around us...!

[mandie]

this is so inspiring! Thanks so much for sharing this story!

[jakki]

I do believe that is why I love scrapbook's. I like the photo's to go along with the journalling to be complete so that years from the date, someone can read it and feel like they were actually THERE when the photo was taking...just like your words and photo's do...

thanx for the inspiration....

[Chris]

I love elderly people. I have such affection for them because I know, they all have a story of some sort. I love to photograph them, too. I took this photograph of this elderly man last Dec. I don't know him and I didn't speak to him but just seeing him made me want to know his story. I wish I had been brave enough to talk to him and ask him. I try to make a point to do that now.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeroldssis/3149959224/in/set-72157611813207761/

[Bridget]

Thanks, everyone.

Hello back to all the Michiganders :)

[schmutzie]

Gorgeous!

[djbeat]

my grandmother was born on a farm in manitoba in 1901 & my granfather in maritimes some 9 years before that (they never really knew how old he was as they did not have records). when my grandfather was quite old & i was far too young too lose him he passed away but not before we recorded him reciting his favorite poems (i wish we had his stories but is so moving to hear his voice).

on my grandmother's 100th birthday we insisted that she tell us her love story - we got that & several others (she passed away fully lucid & with a brilliant memory @ 104). she really had seen everything: from horse drawn carriages to first cars to the walk on the moon to home computers! my mother is now the story keeper.

[oceanlotus]

I so love this post because those stories are often left untold and what a gift to the family! i know i tried to capture stories of my dad and only managed a few, though they are written down - i would have loved a whole box of his stories, particularly now he is gone.

[Amber (life the way i see it)]

This was so inspiring to me that I had to write a post about it. It really gives me long term vision for why I blog and the story I am leaving behind. Thanks!
http://www.amberbishop.com/blog/2009/08/15/my-reason-for-blogging/