Sharing Life Stories with Shockers - Week 3

When History Comes to Life

We have a world of information at our fingertips. Literally. If there is a historical moment we want to learn about, we can access it in just a matter of clicks and swipes. And current events? When breaking news happens across the world, our smartphone notifies us first. What happens though, when we have the privilege of hearing firsthand stories from aging adults who lived through some of the biggest events of the 1900s such as WWII, the Kennedy Assassination, and Vietnam? Even more recent recollections of Y2K and 9/11 (how is it possible those were 20+ years ago?) surfaced, as this third session focused on historical events. Now, if you think about a college freshman class in 2022, even these more recent historical events precede their lifetime. While history classes and (reputable) internet searches are good, we gain an entirely different perspective sitting across from someone who has lived these events. The older generations of today, they are the ones who lived through these events, and they did so when breaking news wasn't streaming in a newsfeed.

I have the pleasure of reading student reflections of the historical events shared, some of which brought out emotions for those present in the room. Here is a snapshot of what was captured.

Week 3 Story Snapshots

Imagine gathering around a radio - a radio - to hear the latest news from WWII. As a five-year-old, watching your mother tune in for the latest reports, praying her brothers weren't among those lost.

Having a family member witness the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor, and survive to tell you the tale. 

Experiencing the loss of close friends who served in Vietnam. 

Witnessing the chaotic confusion of the Kennedy Assassination on a tiny, tube television. Your family hanging on every word of Walter Cronkite, as he tried to make sense of what just happened. 

Being in charge of a large corporation in Chicago, trying to best manage your employees as the devastating coverage of 9/11 comes across all the televisions.

Experiencing the pride of going to vote for the first time as a woman, to only be turned away because 21 years was still the required age. You then had to wait for President Nixon to declare that if at age 18, you are old enough to fight for your country, you are old enough to vote. And not missing an election since.

Navigating the uneasiness of a world on the verge of a new century and all the unknowns and "what ifs" that came with the year 2000.

Now, the most recent and perhaps obvious historical event - Covid-19 - will be discussed more fully in a later session, because their perspective as residents in a LTC community will be unlike any in the room experienced. The few moments in time that were covered however, are beautiful reminders that we truly don't know what one has endured, experienced, and survived in a lifetime. We do ourselves and the generations above us a great disservice if we don't pause to reflect on the history they have walked and how their perspective of each experience influenced their lives. While we can, we would be wise to cherish the personal recollections of the oldest generations. Many of whom were born amid the Great Depression, experienced WWII, felt the weight of a presidential assassination, witnessed extreme racial discrimination, endured Vietnam, were present for the turn of a century, saw a nation come together after a terrorist attack, and for the past two years, have even survived a global pandemic. This population, they are so much more than the number by which we often limit them. What an honor it is to hear their stories.

See you next week for more Sharing Life Stories with Shockers!

-Jacie G.