Children's Books and Family History: Memory Jars

One of the things I love most about family history is that it helps us preserve the moments that might otherwise be forgotten. While we cannot place memories in glass jars like Freda does, we can record them in journals, photographs, voice recordings, and family stories.

Many of the memories I treasure most are not major life events. They are ordinary moments: playing board games with my grandma, riding home in the basket of my dad's Royal Mail bike, or gathering around the dinner table with family. At the time, they seemed small. Looking back, they became part of my family's story.

Memory Jars reminds us that family history is not only about preserving the big milestones. It is also about capturing the everyday moments that tell the story of who we are and the people we love.

Freda loves collecting memories. She carefully stores special moments in jars because she wants to remember everything exactly as it happened. As her collection grows, she begins filling jars with memories of family, friends, adventures, and everyday experiences. But as life changes around her, Freda discovers that she cannot save every moment forever.

At its heart, Memory Jars is a story about change, growing up, and learning to appreciate the moments we have while we are living them. The book reminds readers that while we cannot hold on to every memory, we can cherish the people, experiences, and ordinary moments that make life meaningful.

As I read, I found myself thinking about a moment that I would place in a jar if I could. My Nan kept all of her hair supplies in a small makeup bag. There wasn't much in it—just a couple of combs, some small hair ties, rollers both big and small, and a few clips. Whenever we were together, I would ask if I could play with her hair. Nan loved having her hair played with, and I loved styling it.

I would bring her a cup filled with water to hold and drape a towel across her shoulders. Then I would comb her hair straight up into the air or carefully roll it in curlers. Other times, I would put it into tiny ponytails or slick it all back. Whenever I pulled too tightly, I would quickly ask, "Sorry, did I hurt you?" Every time, she would reassure me that I couldn't hurt her.

We didn't say much. Nan would often fall asleep while watching television as I styled and restyled her hair.

They weren't extraordinary moments. They were simple moments between a grandmother and her granddaughter. Yet when I think of my Nan, this is one of the memories that comes to mind first.

If I could place one memory in a jar and keep it forever, it would be standing (other times sitting behind her on the top of the couch) behind my Nan, comb in hand, ready to play with her hair.

ACTIVITY: FILL YOUR MEMORY JAR

Inside the jar, write or draw a memory you never want to forget. Then, if you feel inspired, tell the story behind that memory to a family member or record it in a journal for future generations. 

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