Jody W. describes here experience using Remento to create a life story keepsake book of her mom's best stories. Learn more about Remento here.
Keeping family history alive isn't just about cataloging dates and facts; it’s about celebrating the people who shaped us and ensuring their legacy endures. My mom, who has always been the cornerstone of our family, has an incredible life full of rich experiences and wisdom that I desperately wanted to preserve for my children and future generations. That’s why, last Christmas, I decided to make her gift extra special and meaningful by giving her Remento—a tool that promised to capture her stories in a profoundly personal way.
The desire to preserve my mom’s stories had always been on my mind, but it wasn’t until I read Remento’s blog post How to Build Resilient Kids Through Family Narratives that I realized that preserving her stories now was something I needed to do. The article discussed the psychological and emotional benefits of knowing one's family history, emphasizing how these stories could help children build resilience. It struck a chord with me. It was a reminder that preserving family narratives isn't just an act of remembrance; it's a gift to future generations, providing them with a sense of identity and belonging.
When I initially decided to help my mom document her life stories, I considered a few different options. Storyworth was a prominent contender, but ultimately, I chose Remento for several important reasons. The primary difference lies in how stories are collected. With Storyworth, storytellers type their responses to a new prompt each week. While this might work well for those who love writing, it wasn’t ideal for my mom, who I knew would find typing tedious. Remento, on the other hand, allows storytellers to record their answers without any writing required, making it a game-changer for my mom. I hoped it would turn the daunting task of documenitng memories into an easy, enjoyable storytelling experience.
Additionally, Remento allows storytellers to reflect on photos (one of the most compelling ways to trigger reflection according to science), bringing back detailed and emotionally rich memories. Finally, Remento’s books include a QR code at the start of each chapter that links to the originally recorded content, allowing future generations to hear the storyteller's voice as they read the stories. This multimedia approach creates a more immersive and personal experience, making the stories come alive in a unique way.
Learn more about the differences between Remento and Storyworth.
Setting up Remento was straightforward. After providing my mom's email and selecting a delivery date, I was able to customize a heartfelt welcome message. That initial message was incredibly important to me because I wanted her to know just how much her stories mean to us.
Next, it was time to select her first few prompts. We had recently digitized a treasure trove of old photos, so I took the opportunity to upload them to Remento. Each photograph had a story behind it, and I knew these visual cues would help jog her memory and provide a richer storytelling experience. I also selected a handful of questions from Remento’s question bank, full of expertly crafted storytelling prompts designed to guide the storyteller seamlessly through different phases of their life.
This project was too special to keep to myself, so I invited my husband, brother, and sister-in-law to our new project. Each of them had their own questions and memories they wanted to explore, making the experience even more collaborative and inclusive.
On Christmas morning, I presented my mom with Remento. I printed out one of their beautifully designed gift cards to make the moment more tangible, and placed the gift card in a box.
Her reaction was everything I had hoped for and more. She was visibly moved and surprised by how much effort I had put into capturing her stories. She confessed that she had been contemplating her legacy but felt overwhelmed by where to begin. Remento provided her the roadmap she needed.
The first prompt my mom was scheduled to receive was a lighthearted photo from my childhood featuring us building a snowman. Starting with something heartwarming and simple would ease her into the storytelling process gently.
I knew Remento would send the prompt early Wednesday morning, so I had planned to call her to guide her through it. However, to my surprise, I received an email notification before I called her; she had already recorded her first story! The email included a summary and a link to watch the video. I was beyond thrilled.
Watching her first story was more moving than I thought it might be. Her recollections were filled with details I had long forgotten. Remento had already turned the spoken words into an eloquently written narrative in the third person - far better than I expected.
When I called my mom, she couldn't stop raving about how user-friendly Remento was. She had recorded her story on her laptop and was excited to know she could use her iPhone or iPad without any downloads, logins, or passwords complicating the experience.
The next week, my mom chose to recount one of my husband’s favorite photos of us from a family trip. The subsequent week, we used Remento’s polling feature to allow the entire family to vote on what story we wanted to hear next. This interactive element turned the storytelling into a fun, shared experience.
Each week brought a new story, a new memory, and a new connection. Stories ranged from amusing anecdotes to sentimental life lessons, providing invaluable insights into her life.
Gathering as a family to look through the book was an unforgettable experience. The day our Remento book arrived was truly special. The hardcover book, filled with colorful photos, instantly felt like a family treasure. The QR codes at the start of each chapter were a highlight, letting us hear my mom’s voice tell her own stories, which made everything feel very personal and real. My kids loved scanning them and watching their grandmother tell stories. We instantly ordered an additional five copies.
My initial motivation for using Remento was to ensure we didn't lose these invaluable stories over time. But what I discovered was so much more valuable. Learning these stories week after week has brought our family closer together in ways I never expected. They have become a living, breathing part of our lives, something we look forward to and cherish.
Reflecting on this experience, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to capture my mom’s stories. Her memories have become a legacy that will continue inspiring and guiding our family for generations. In a constantly changing world, these stories will remain a constant source of love, wisdom, and connection.
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