How I wished I had asked my parents more questions about their youth. Since they have passed, I have found old photos and wonder what the photos were all about. And photos of people I don't know. Like who was that really cute guy Mom was hugging when she was 20 years old?

I know my Dad and his three brothers use to invent things. One time they rigged up a gasoline powered washing machine. Wish I knew what their Mom had thought about it and was she afraid of using it :)

What a great way to "change it up". When my mother started telling a story she'd told a hundred times before, I would ask her a detail about part of the story. And she reveled in answering the question.

Asking your parent a question about their past, like what types of dances did they do, etc., is a wonderful way to pry out memories.

I understand the story telling. Like you, some days I do great at receiving the stories well and some days, not so well. Thank you for reminding me that I am not alone in the caregiving world.