The Family Stories We Retell Every Summer
Summers tend to bring family together, and with most family gatherings, there are stories.
Just as with old friends, when families reconnect, memories come back, and the stories flow. It could be the longer days or the evenings on the patio. Maybe it's the annual camping trip, a Canada Day or Fourth of July barbecue, or simply sitting together and watching the sun disappear behind the trees.
In most families, you can almost predict which stories will come up, because someone always mentions the rained-out fishing trip where no one caught a thing. Or Grandma will retell the story of how she met Grandpa for the hundredth time, and to be polite, everyone will laugh at the same punchline.
We retell these stories not only because they’re always entertaining, but because they remind us of where we came from.
The Stories That Never Get Told
Of course, every family gathering has another set of stories—the ones that aren’t as easily shared because they’re not as entertaining and don’t come with a punchline. These are the stories about immigration, sacrifice, military service, first loves and losses, personal disappointments, and lessons learned over the years.
Often, these stories don't come up around a busy dinner table because they're too detailed, and sometimes even too personal to share. But in most cases, these stories aren’t brought up because no one thinks to ask, or the person who holds those memories assumes they're not interesting enough to share.
Summer Is the Perfect Time to Ask
Family gatherings are an opportunity to reconnect with the people we love most. So instead of waiting for stories to appear on their own, consider asking a few reflective questions.
You could start by asking:
What was your favourite summer as a child, and what made it so special?
Who has had the biggest influence on your life, and how did that impact your decisions?
What family tradition do you hope never disappears, and why is it so important to you?
You don't need to schedule a formal interview. Often the best conversations happen during a walk, while washing dishes together, or over a second glass of wine after everyone else has gone to bed.
This Summer, Listen a Little Longer
As you gather with your family this season, pay attention to the stories being shared. Notice which ones everyone knows by heart, then take a few extra minutes to ask the deeper questions. You’ll be glad that you did.