Wow! I don't know what I'd do in that situation, Aaron. That's a tough one, and I can understand your choice to not know. I wonder if and how this information has impacted your brother. I suppose it's good that you can take him up on his offer if you change your mind. The 'family stories' idea always lands differently, depending on one's experience. It's never one size fits all, but there are always golden nuggets within the narratives (at least, some of them). Ultimately, I'm sure you'll decide what's best for you.
Kelly, good points. My mother wrote her own obituary. Every August (for 14 years) before she died, she would give me updates and changes. As a librarian, she knew that she should be the keeper of her story.
"You can only show who you are when you know who you are (I said that)." - Love that.
When my mother was passing she asked me on her deathbed if I wanted to know some dark stories about my father (they divorced when I was young) . I have a good relationship with my father so I told her "no". I did not feel it would do anything positive at a tough time in life. It's been about 8 years and I still wonder if that was the right answer. Do I need to know those stories to know my father better? To be a better father to my daughter? I don't know... my brother said "yes" to the question and heard the stories. He's offered to tell me if I ever want to know.
Wow! I don't know what I'd do in that situation, Aaron. That's a tough one, and I can understand your choice to not know. I wonder if and how this information has impacted your brother. I suppose it's good that you can take him up on his offer if you change your mind. The 'family stories' idea always lands differently, depending on one's experience. It's never one size fits all, but there are always golden nuggets within the narratives (at least, some of them). Ultimately, I'm sure you'll decide what's best for you.
Kelly, good points. My mother wrote her own obituary. Every August (for 14 years) before she died, she would give me updates and changes. As a librarian, she knew that she should be the keeper of her story.
Thanks for sharing such an interesting story, Love this đŸ¥°đŸ¥°đŸ¥°
Thank you for reading!
"You can only show who you are when you know who you are (I said that)." - Love that.
When my mother was passing she asked me on her deathbed if I wanted to know some dark stories about my father (they divorced when I was young) . I have a good relationship with my father so I told her "no". I did not feel it would do anything positive at a tough time in life. It's been about 8 years and I still wonder if that was the right answer. Do I need to know those stories to know my father better? To be a better father to my daughter? I don't know... my brother said "yes" to the question and heard the stories. He's offered to tell me if I ever want to know.
Randy, I love how your mother was determined to get it right! Definitely sounds like a librarian!