Community Chat

[Puppy Lips]

on this forum lately, this is what I am wondering.  If you could ask a loved one something, who has since died, what would you ask them?  Is there something about their history you don't know?  Do you wonder what their opinion is about something?  My Mother just turned 90 and I am thinking of all the things I don't know about her, and asking her.  I did not get that chance with my father as he died unexpectantly.  So what do you wish you had asked a loved one before they died?

[qualitygal]

Get a picture of her hands, and yours and hers together.  I found myself at 72 wishing I had that.  I would so treasure that.  My questions, I find, would have been for her mother. I've had questions about her life that I wish I knew now.

If grandma and mom are still with you, ask about their growing up.  It's really quite facinating..at least what I do know now, I'm thankful for.

I just passed on down to my cousins who requested them, some of grandma's handwritten recipes.  I made copies so we all will have them.  

[msgb]

One of my sisters asked my dad a number of things in conversation so she taped just the normal conversation between her and my father and one of my brothers and her daughter. It is a treasure to hear my father's voice. She also has some papers that he wrote about his life as he grew up. What he did for work etc. My father worked hard for everything he had. gave that work ethic to his kids. 

The questions asked and all the conversations are normal everyday things. I think that is what I take most about it. It wasn't formal --it was casual.

[deepwaterdotter]

I would ask my mother if she was happy the day she died?  I would like to know that she experienced happiness just before she passed.

[millieshops]

@Puppy LipsI was still a little girl even when my older sister got married -  and I'd never heard the story of how she and my BIL met until I heard it told at her funeral in September.

That story made me wonder how my parents met- my parents never discussed it but then they wouldn't have.  There wasn't much discussion at all of family history in our home.  And now there's no one left who knows.  No journals or diaries to refer to, etc.  I do wish I'd thought to ask.  

[CrazyDaisy]

While family stories are interesting and help some feel connected, I know how much these people loved and cared about me.  That is all I needed.

[Sheila P-Burg]

My grandmother on my father's side of the family. I have the family tree in all of the family except that side. I have run into constant "snags". Outside of hiring a professional I am at a stand still. I wish I had the ability to ask her for the missing information.

[Kachina624]

I'd like to know what my parents would say about things that have happened in this world since they passed away in 2003 and 2008, especially in the political arena.

[Goodie2shoes]

Great question. I don't know any specific question I would have asked my mom. As some here know, I lost my mom to Covid 19 back on April 28 th. I have a bible of her's that her sister gave her and in the bible was a 2 page letter my mom wrote back in 1994 giving a history of her mom and dad's family roots. She stated it was so her children would know all about where the family came from. That answers all the questions I might have had.

[aoldgirl]

I would ask her about her school years, friends and what she did for fun,  ride bikes and go swimming.  Also ask her what was outside her kitchen window.  When she was a kid, every one remembers that. Ask how her and your dad met, and if when she was young did she like school/church.  I'll bet she'll smile remembering her early years...