Did you go? If so, with whom? Who asked, and how? What was the theme? Did you have a good time? What happened after? Think back … Prom is an American institution. Should it be? How did your kids’ prom experiences differ from yours? Share your prom stories forward.
The Things I Keep
Old love letters? Vinyl records? Family antiques? Your wedding dress? Your kids’ refrigerator art? Think back … what treasures have you retained over the years, through moves, garage sales, and trips to Goodwill? Do you keep them safely stored away or proudly on display? Share forward what you keep and why. (Give us a list if you like.)
S#*t My Family Said
Proverbs. Adages. Maxims. Think back … to the bywords and sayings your family made its own, long ago or today. Perhaps it was an aphorism from the old country, a line from a movie, or just something cute a child uttered. Give us a list if you like. Share your family sayings forward. (Prompt suggested by a Beta tester.)
Altered States
Tune in, turn on, drop out. Our generation famously craved altered states of consciousness, whether by alcohol, drugs (legal and illegal), music, meditation, or fasting. Think back … to good trips and bad trips. When was your consciousness altered? What did you learn? Medical or recreational marijuana is now legal in 28 states. Do you use it? If so, for what? Share your altered states stories forward.
The Twilight Zone
You’re traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. Think back … to the times in your life when things didn’t connect, the fabric began to unravel, and the real became the surreal. Suppose Rod Serling stepped out of the shadows of your life. What story would he submit for your approval? Share your Twilight Zone stories forward.
Sports
From the Super Bowl to the Olympics to March Madness—just in the next couple of months—sports play a huge role in our culture. Think back … Did you love sports but hate P.E.? Were you an athlete? A cheerleader? A spectator? A fan? Do you follow college or professional sports now? How do you feel when your team wins … or loses? Share your sports stories forward.
My First Paycheck
This Labor Day, think back … to your earliest work experiences. A paper route? Babysitting? Landscaping or construction? Wait staff or fast food? Teacher’s aide or candy striper? What was it like? How did it feel when you actually got paid (if you did)? What did you learn? Share your early work stories forward.
Pets
Overeager dogs. Aloof cats. Talkative birds. Serene fish. Or something more exotic, perhaps? Think back … Pets have a special status as members of our family. Which pets were your favorites? What do you remember about them? Are you a dog person or cat person? Share your pet stories forward.
What We Listened To
Top 40 or oldies rock? Smooth jazz or avant garde? Baroque or modern? Think back … What is the playlist of your life? How has it changed from decade to decade? What concerts or music festivals stick in your mind? Do you and your partner have “our song?” How did music affect your life? Share your music stories forward.
Faith
Most of us grew up believing in a religion, but that’s rarely the end of the story. Baby boomers, think back … on your faith, and whether and how it has changed over the years. How was it tested? Do you pray? What beliefs did you pass on to your children? What, in the end, have you found to believe in? On this convergence of Easter and Passover, share your faith stories forward.