Favorite Family Stories
At the end of December 2026, I posted my intended list of blog topics for my blog and Substack account. If you want to see the list, I’ll be posting the graphic at the bottom of this post. February’s topic is about Favorite Family Stories
If you’ve been following the blog, then you already know that I come from storytellers. Dad would regale us at the dinner table with his adventures with his brother, Ken. Having a trapline so that he could save money to buy a warm winter coat. This probably led to his large collection of coats as an adult.
Mom was a storyteller of sorts as well because it was she who told me all about her family, and she helped me with the details for the beginnings of my genealogy.
So, what is my favorite parent story? That’s a tough one for me. Is it my mom’s story of the wedding cake being taken to the hall for my mom and dad’s wedding reception, and the roads being so terrible and rough that every time they came to a big pot hole, they would stop the car, get out, and walk the cake to the next smooth stretch, as someone drove the car through. Or is it my dad’s story of his sister when she was just two or three putting her finger on the chopping block, and when my dad said, ” You need to move it because I’ll chop your finger off she said, “Do it.” LOL
When I started writing this blog, I decided I’d ask my brothers what their favorite stories were, and this is what they told me.
The mention of Whispering Pines brings a flood of memories for me. We used to go there every summer, and we had to leave Edmonton right after my dad’s work on Friday, so we could be sure to arrive in time for the weekly BBQ dinner and dance by the creek, which they had on Saturday night. It also reminded me that as soon as we arrived, my brothers (and maybe a cousin or two or one of the staff) would haul me out of the car and throw me in the pool. We often had a large group of cousins camping together, so we always reserved under the walnut tree. If you ever get a chance to go to Mara Lake, British Columbia, check it out.
Ted, Craig, Wendy, and I
Uninvited guests at a neighboring camper’s spot.
Again, this is another summer vacation trip. We always went on vacation with my Auntie Edna, Uncle Arnie, and my cousins, Wendy and Lori. Wells Gray Provincial Park is near Clearwater, British Columbia. The waterfall my brother is referring to is Helmcken Falls, and back in the day, they had a chainlink fence along the edge, but some of the ground had been washed away. I think my brothers were racing to get to the falls when my brother slipped on loose soil or rock. Thankfully, my Uncle saved the day, and it may have been the one time my mom was thankful that my brother Ted didn’t listen about tucking in his shirt.
Are these earth-shattering tales that should never be lost… probably not… but I love the memories and my brothers do too. Each week, I have a Zoom chat with cousin Wendy, and this week I mentioned Well Gray and Whispering Pines, and suddenly we are reminiscing about our fun holidays.
What was your favorite family story? If you have a sibling, do what I did: text them and ask what their favorite story is.
Take it one step further. Document the stories by writing them down or recording them. That’s what I’m going to do with this blog. Capture it as a pdf and upload it to FOREVER. Or if you choose to record your story, you can upload that to FOREVER as well and share it with your family. I created a book about my dad’s life using only photos and recordings he’d made for me of his childhood.
Your stories don’t have to be forgotten; it’s up to you to preserve them, and if you need help, I’m happy to help you. Now send that text.
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