Jane, Great questions. Unfortunately, I can't ask her but I'd want to know how she met dad. I can't believe I never asked either of them although from her scrapbook he gave her valentine candy when she was 16. I don't know how they crossed paths. What's funny is I know how my aunt, dad's sister, met her husband. So many unanswered questions.
Thanks Jane, great suggestions! Since I saw you last at Bathurst Library my mum has been diagnosed with breast cancer that has spread to her lungs, so time is limited to get answers. I appreciate your suggestions to generate my discussion and her memories. Looking forward to your segment at the Readers & Writers Festival - Ann
I was only yesterday thinking about asking my mother about her relationship with Dad, who died in 2020, but its a difficult topic to raise. You have given me a means to do so. The rest of your questions are great too. We can think of our mothers as individuals with their own desires and ambitions.
Yes I am ok but will be better when I finish a report Ive been working on since last year! Let me know if you come to Bathurst. Do you have my phone number or email address?
For you to share your experience as an interviewer would be a wonderful gift to all your readers.
Before retirement I was a personal counsellor and (still) live by the belief that to understand our lives better, it is not so much the answers that are missing, but the questions. I saw it as my part to supply the questions that clients needed to ask themselves, but didn't dare or didn't think of.
(I figured that out from my own times when I was enlightened as a counsellor's client.)
Supplying questions was surprising enlightening when running a fathers group. I made up some family history questions for fathers to answer in front of their children and the group. It really bonded the fathers in the group to each other, as well as opening up interest of the children* who would then ask questions of their father that they may have never felt permission, or thought to to ask otherwise. (*those over 5yo, at least. The younger ones just wanted play time to start.).
Having questions from a professional interviewer would be a fantastic way to get necessary life-event conversations going in families. Now that you've started it...
G'day Jane. I lost my Mum 15 months ago but will use your wonderful questions to interview her sister. What a great series you have created! Thankyou!
Jack.
Jack, my heart goes out to you. Thinking of you and hope the interview goes well.
Jane, Great questions. Unfortunately, I can't ask her but I'd want to know how she met dad. I can't believe I never asked either of them although from her scrapbook he gave her valentine candy when she was 16. I don't know how they crossed paths. What's funny is I know how my aunt, dad's sister, met her husband. So many unanswered questions.
Thanks Jane, great suggestions! Since I saw you last at Bathurst Library my mum has been diagnosed with breast cancer that has spread to her lungs, so time is limited to get answers. I appreciate your suggestions to generate my discussion and her memories. Looking forward to your segment at the Readers & Writers Festival - Ann
Oh Ann, I’m so sorry. Thinking of you and see you soon.
Thank you Jane,
I was only yesterday thinking about asking my mother about her relationship with Dad, who died in 2020, but its a difficult topic to raise. You have given me a means to do so. The rest of your questions are great too. We can think of our mothers as individuals with their own desires and ambitions.
Thanks Juanita. I hope you are ok. Maybe I will see you in Bathurst soon?
Yes I am ok but will be better when I finish a report Ive been working on since last year! Let me know if you come to Bathurst. Do you have my phone number or email address?
What a brilliant idea. It's a gift to readers of this blog and also to their mothers, all in one.
I research my family tree and find there are so many questions I now wished I'd asked (and many surprising & interesting stories uncovered).
Thanks Neil! I hope it’s useful. I’d love to create an ongoing series …
For you to share your experience as an interviewer would be a wonderful gift to all your readers.
Before retirement I was a personal counsellor and (still) live by the belief that to understand our lives better, it is not so much the answers that are missing, but the questions. I saw it as my part to supply the questions that clients needed to ask themselves, but didn't dare or didn't think of.
(I figured that out from my own times when I was enlightened as a counsellor's client.)
Supplying questions was surprising enlightening when running a fathers group. I made up some family history questions for fathers to answer in front of their children and the group. It really bonded the fathers in the group to each other, as well as opening up interest of the children* who would then ask questions of their father that they may have never felt permission, or thought to to ask otherwise. (*those over 5yo, at least. The younger ones just wanted play time to start.).
Having questions from a professional interviewer would be a fantastic way to get necessary life-event conversations going in families. Now that you've started it...