Legacy Lives On

Legacy Lives On

Life is full of stories and stories are full of life.

In August 2005, I drove my mom to visit her sister, Margaret. Mom was 85 and Margaret 81. We had lunch together…. a six-hour lunch. It was absolutely amazing. They were non-stop reminiscing and telling of their escapades and experiences while growing up.

One or two of the stories sounded vaguely familiar, but nothing compared to the delightful anecdotes of growing up with my first generation stoic Italian “Papa” and wildly adventurous “Nana” while being taught by extremely strict nuns in elementary school. As an adult, I thought I knew my mom. I did not fully understand her, or myself for that matter, until that day.

Time flew as they finished each other’s sentences and laughed til they cried. It was sweet and riveting at the same time. My mom went to heaven 4 months later.

However….. I did not record it. I could kick myself. In fact, I still am….. and that is why I am on a mission to capture stories from the elderly and pass them on to inspire and encourage others — even beyond their families. Plus, the pure joy that I witnessed when my mom and Aunt Margaret told their stories was invigorating to all of us, even the waitress at the restaurant.

Telling life stories can be extremely therapeutic for our aging population. It has been proven to improve health, prevent depression, reduce loneliness and increase socialization. To be able to reminisce about younger days, experiences, victories and even setbacks is a powerful tool in maintaining brain health.

Sacramento Helping Hands has been interviewing seniors in our communities for over 20 years and are now embarking on a new venture!
Living Legacy —

This is a service that is offered to seniors where they will be given a series of interview questions and be able to tell their story. We will capture moments, thoughts, memories and great wisdom from these vital individuals. Everyone has something to offer our future generations and we are creating ways to capture it. It will be done in a safe, secure and loving environment and we treat each individual with great respect.

Our goal is to create a healthier mental and emotional environment and bring a continuation of life to our families in the communities. Times are rapidly changing and we are on a mission to preserve the rich history and inspirational stories that are somewhat buried on the inside of this precious population.

The legacy will live on and there are immeasurable benefits for everyone involved. For the teller, it provides a safe environment to reminisce and reinvigorate their sense of self — reminding them of the “wins”, the good memories that are often overlooked or even forgotten. For the younger listeners, it helps create a security, connecting them with their heritage and strengthening the ties that bind.

If you are interested in our Legacy Lives On program and would like more information, call the SHH office at 916-348-3200 or send us an email at info@sachelpinghands.org