Stories

I just returned from the annual Brookdale Foundation Leadership in Aging retreat. It is always a fascinating 24 hours filled with new information and new ideas. A theme the last few years has been the idea of storytelling. There are a couple of different researchers working on storytelling with older adults in one way or another. So, here are some random thoughts about stories and personal narratives....



One presentation was about the use of the Odyssey to elicit stories from nursing home residents. The narrative focuses on Penelope, particularly her waiting. She waited 20 years for Odyseus to return, and then wasn't sure she recognized him when he did. Are there parallels to older adults--do we recognize them when they look different? are they the same person when they have lost their physical or mental abilities? are they in nursing homes waiting? for what, waiting to die? We talked about the difficulty we have in waiting in our culture now. There is a need for immediacy and quick response. I know that I can get impatient with someone who is slow to respond or react. On the other hand, I don't get too impatient waiting in a line or waiting for an event. What's the difference? I guess in one case I feel there is a lack of effort and in the other the waiting is beyond almost anyone's control.



Second idea: journey stories. If we think about the Odyssey and the journeys that Odyseus and Penelope make, Odyseus travels out into the world, he is on a quest. Men in journey stories overcome physical obstacles and leave home. In contrast, Penelope's journey is internal. She never leaves Ithaca. Her struggles are at home and within herself. I thought it was an interesting contrast of gender roles.



Third idea: self-stories. In a writing group older adults are asked to write stories that illustrate key memories in their lives. What was interesting was that these stories were most often stories of everyday events, not notable celebrations or life transitions. People would write about a picnic or vacation, rather than about their wedding or graduation. People focused on everyday experiences. I've thought about this before in my own memories. I barely remember attending my high school graduation, for instance. But, I have vivid memories of hiking with my dad and his habit of bringing along some fruit or candy to be doled out halfway through the trip. It makes me feel better when I think about my sons and their memories.



So, those are just some random ideas about stories, narratives, and the power of memory.