Alyssa Kamel from Independance HS with Virginia Clunan

Blakely Riddle from RHS with Elizabeth Daniel

Daniel Cadiz from FHS with Frank Mitchell

Julia Barnitt from BHS with Larry Day

Molly Lenihan from RHS with Delores Ellis

Peyton O'Kain from RHS with Viola Wright

Scott Quarles from BHS with Lillian McBride

By JODI RALL
In the Bubble columnist
A few weeks ago I received a call from one of my favorite people, Rita Dozier. Her distinctive voice and enthusiastic personality bubbled through the phone line. Rita was calling to invite me to attend this year’s Literacy Council of Williamson County’s “Reflections” program. She asked if I would take a few minutes to speak to area high school students about interview techniques.

My immediate response was an ecstatic “YES!”

Once I explain a little about the Reflections program and why it is close to my heart, you will hopefully encourage your own children/grandchildren to embrace hearing stories from senior citizens.

When I was growing up my mother’s parents lived on our property out in the country. While my grandmother died when I was fairly young, my grandfather, who immigrated through Ellis Island to America, lived until I was a junior in high school.

My grandfather Martin, or Pap as we affectionately called him, was a masterful story teller and being a naughty Irishman loved to make me laugh. These are precious memories and as my own children have had to complete stories about immigration and the journey to America, they have reached out to my mother to hear Pap’s story. Since ‘Nana’ is now 87, it’s the story of her life ‘back then.’

My in-laws have shared quite a different story with my children, as both my husband’s grandmothers were members of Daughters of the Revolutionary War. As a history buff, this has long fascinated me. My mother-in-law, who has created beautiful scrapbooks of all the old-time photos and memorabilia, has given her grandchildren a gift of experiencing such a beautiful heritage. Although they may not appreciate it now, they will someday.

This leads me to why I love the “Reflections” program. Rita is the executive director of the Literacy Council. Her volunteers LeeAnn Duval and Bonnie Brown help arrange for local high school students who are part of the United Way’s YAC program to visit seniors at Morningside, Legacy Crossing and Maristone to interview them about their lives.

As I spoke with 16 or so students who represented five area high schools, I reminded them about the types of open-ended questions to ask, creating a better dialogue and understanding.
My favorite comment of the day came from Larry Day as the boys entered the room. “This is what an old people’s home is like. A few roosters and a bunch of hens, boys,” he told them. Another came from one of the female seniors, who told one of the girls, “You are so pretty. I used to be pretty when I was a girl too.”

For a few minutes while getting paired up, you could tell the students were a little nervous. But once they began talking you could see how animated the seniors became and the sweet sound of chatter filled the room.

What a beautiful afternoon as I watched and listened to the stories unfold. Each student took notes and then later, at home wrote the story of the person they interviewed. The seniors, their families, friends and the students will gather to read and hear the compiled book of stories at the future date.

In doing research to prepare what to say to the students, I had come across troubling statistics on how few young people communicate with older adults. What a tragedy that such rich stories of life experience are being wasted. There is so much to learn from our elders.

Everyone has a story to share, and taking time to hear can be such a valuable life lesson.

Thank you Rita for inviting me, and thank you to the students for participating. You may not realize it now, but what a gift you were given.

 If you are interested in joining a YAC Club at an area high school you can contact Carla Arnette with United Way of Williamson County by calling 616-771-2312. For additional information about The Literacy Council of Williamson County, visit http://literacycouncilwc.org

Question for the Bubble: What are you doing for Valentine’s Day? Any good ideas, suggestions or plans I need to know about? Email me at Jodi@brenwoodhomepage.com or follow me on twitter  @jodiinthebubble

Jodi Rall is a special events coordinator and publicist who lives with her husband, four children, two dogs and various other pets in Brentwood. She has been known to play tennis. Contact her at jodi@brentwoodhomepage.com. Follow her "Jodi in the Bubble" blog by Clicking here.