When Loucynda searched for a meaningful way to preserve her mother's stories, she discovered Remento. What began as a simple gift idea transformed into a journey of discovery, unearthing forgotten tales and strengthening the bond between mother and daughter.
When Loucynda decided to embark on a project to preserve her mother's memories, she found herself at a crossroads. She knew she wanted a digital solution, but which one? Her research led her to two main contenders: Remento and StoryWorth.
Both offered ways to capture family stories, but with different approaches. StoryWorth focused on written responses to weekly prompts, while Remento emphasized audio recordings.
As Loucynda considered her mother's preferences and abilities, she realized that the audio-first approach of Remento might be more suitable. "My mom is not a writer," Loucynda explains. "If we had to have her go down and write these stories, it would probably not happen." This realization was a crucial factor in her decision-making process.
Learn more: Storyworth v. Remento
The ability to record stories verbally rather than writing them down proved to be a game-changer for Loucynda and her mother.
"The ability to have the recording translated into a book was just a much easier way of capturing the story."
This approach allowed her mother to share her memories naturally and effortlessly, resulting in richer, more detailed stories than they might have achieved through writing alone.
The process also unearthed forgotten memories and unknown facets of her mother's life. But another unexpected benefit was the joy it brought to her mother. "She just was really enjoying telling all these stories," Loucynda notes.
The project gave her mother a platform to share her experiences and wisdom, validating the importance of her life story. This newfound purpose seemed to energize her, leading to an outpouring of memories that surpassed their initial expectations.
Learn more: Why Nostalgia and Reminiscing is Good for You
Through this process, Loucynda uncovered stories about her mother she had never known before. She shares an example:
"Where did she go on her honeymoon? I have no idea? I never asked before."
This process of discovery brought them closer together, creating a shared experience that went beyond their typical mother-daughter relationship. "It feels like a bonding experience," Loucynda reflects. The project gave them a shared purpose and a reason to connect regularly, often leading to deeper conversations than they'd had in years. It wasn't just about recording stories; it was about rediscovering each other.
As Loucynda delved deeper into her Remento journey, she discovered the platform's ability to weave together various media types, creating a rich tapestry of family history. The combination of audio recordings, written transcripts, and photographs brought a new dimension to their storytelling experience.
"I love that you can send a picture and just say, 'Can you tell me about this picture?' And then you can see his face light up while he's remembering it," Loucynda shares, her voice filled with excitement. This feature allowed her to breathe new life into old photographs, uncovering stories and details that had long been forgotten.
As Loucynda looks forward to completing the project, she's excited about the prospect of sharing the finished product with her family.
"It's a chance for her to tell her story, and to capture that perspective," Loucynda explains. The combination of a physical book and digital recordings ensures that this family history will be accessible and cherished for years to come.
The process also unearthed forgotten memories and unknown facets of her mother's life. But another unexpected benefit was the joy it brought to her mother. "She just was really enjoying telling all these stories," Loucynda notes. The project gave her mother a platform to share her experiences and wisdom, validating the importance of her life story. This newfound purpose seemed to energize her, leading to an outpouring of memories that surpassed their initial expectations.
Loucynda's experience with Remento has been so positive that she's considering extending the project to other family members. The personal nature of the gift and the engagement it requires from both the giver and receiver have made it a unique and meaningful experience for her family. "I thought my brother and relatives would really appreciate it too," Loucynda shares, highlighting how the impact of this gift extends beyond just the initial recipient. It's not just about preserving one person's memories, but about creating a shared family legacy that everyone can contribute to and cherish.
What started as a thoughtful present has evolved into something much more significant. It's become a way to strengthen family bonds, uncover forgotten stories, and bridge generational gaps. As Loucynda explains, a single gift can spark a family-wide journey of discovery and connection, turning the act of remembering into a collective experience that enriches everyone involved.
The story book that writes itself
Preserve family stories.
No writing required.
