LETTERS: Write it down
To the Editor:
Some weeks ago part of my family met at the home of my cousin John Hayen and my aunt Dorothy Hayen to listen to some family stories as Aunt Dorothy gave us an account of family events which occurred in the early part of the 20th century.
The events were part of our family's final move west to western Nebraska/Wyoming. It was in the very early 1930s. Our family movement might be attached to the great movement west which occurred in the Great Depression.
My point in this note is to remind all of us how important is the "oral history" which many of our senior community members hold in their memories. Some of the regular contributors to the Marion County Record bear out this truth. The stories of our families who were here before us, laying community foundations upon which this generation is building are most important stories.
We live in a technological age of radically rapid movement of everything in life which is far different than in those earlier days. In spite of these immense changes in lifestyle, I think we can see some powerfully important characteristics of living which all our Aunt Dorothys can show us in their stories. These characteristics of living are important in any future time, regardless of the changes in lifestyle. Time is growing short. These living historians will not be with us forever.
The lesson is clear for those of us in succeeding generations, who have lived our own stories. You and I need to "write it down," in some form or other, those happenings of community life and family. The stories which may seem commonplace to you or me, may hold some truth of human strength, courage, or insight which may transfer to this next generation who have yet to live through what we have experienced. In my mind it is a kind of endless cycle of life which is so familiar to those of us who live out our years in these Great Plains. Our communities and our families have become an integral part of that endless cycle which takes us out there to the next place. Our stories are a gift we have to share with those who follow us. In advance, thanks to all those like my aunt Dorothy who take the time to share the story.
Jan Hayen
