COTTAGE DAYS

Our family summer cottage was bought in the 1920’s by my great grandfather along with my great grandmother and their five daughters (one being my grandmother).  They loved the cottage and vestiges of their summer days linger even now.  It is as if they slipped out of the side porch door and paddled off with friends, it feels that preserved at times.  My great grandfather’s daily love letters in 1904, 1905 stayed in bundles in a chest under a desk in the dark wooded master bedroom.  Reading these letters, hearing their love story ignited a spark in me at 13 yrs old.  I was amazed at how “brought to life” these stories became – it was like a great novel I just couldn’t put down! I fell in love with storytelling, and I knew that feeling would remain with me!

CHILDHOOD

I spent so much of my childhood alongside my grandmother, or elderly neighbor, piano teacher, companions of parents.  To me, the conversations were comforting, fascinating, and shared just with me in that moment!  I always thought how lucky I was to be learning from them, how wise and calm it was to sit in their presence as they brought me on a journey of their story.  In fact, if my mother was looking for me, she knew where to go!  I was next door with Mr. Livingston telling me wonderful stories about his wife who had passed away.  I was two doors down with Mrs. Jones hearing her tell stories of growing up in rural Nebraska!  It was magic. 

THEATER DAYS

Years pass and I performed in theater companies (college and beyond) It is my life for a good chunk of my 20’s and 30’s and I learn so much about how to build scenes (long form improv is no script, must create on the spot).  I study the power of “yes and” which means how not to negate people in conversations – aka ACCEPTANCE.  And once accomplished, the scenes flourish! Accepting and actively listening are tools I use today so often! My daughter is born and by the time my she is in middle school and I decide now is a great time to work with seniors – a group I love!

WORK WITH SENIORS

I am hired at an assisted living facility that is comprised of half the population with dementia and various other cognitive issues.  I begin building a curriculum myself.  The residents are excited, they have much to share!

I teach/run guided meditation, chair yoga, sundowning group (specifically for dementia residents), a men’s group, open arts studio, poetry and storytelling workshops and (I write 15 different storytelling exercises), and music and memory groups.  It is beautiful watching them get creative again and feel heard. I realize I am onto something wonderful and so needed!

CELEBRATING STORIES, LTD. IS BORN

2020 I form an LLC called Celebrating Stories! I go to assisted living and memory care facilities in Countryside and Tinley Park and interview residents and record their stories. I volunteer and call facilities in New York during the pandemic and interview over the phone and send transcriptions back to families.

I create and teach workshops on how to interview loved ones at libraries in the area. Attendees are excited to learn new models and approaches for interviewing!I become a “NEDA Approved” End of Life Doula. (Nationally recognized certification) 2024, this website is created!  It is time to share what Celebrating Stories, Ltd. is all about with all of you!