Page 16 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Summer 2020- Online Magazine
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HONORING SENIORS
How to Leave Your Mark
FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
by Donna Alexander
I
heard someone say the other day that we all
have a responsibility to document the events
we are currently experiencing. My first thought
was that I am personally a little oversaturated with or your own memoirs, your descendants will be
appreciative.
self-help gurus, fitness experts, and entertainers
saying how we can all stay connected but distant. Photography is another powerful form of
In my irritation, I initially dismissed the idea. expression. Photos from the 1930s Dust Bowl are
But after a little more thought, I realize that a graphic example of life during that difficult
maybe we do have a duty to those who come time. And we all remember the pang of our heart
after us to record the overwhelming changes that when we saw the photo of young John Kennedy,
have recently turned our world upside down. Jr. saluting his father’s casket as it passed in front
Luckily, there are several ways we can let future of him. In 1945, the excitement of the end of the
generations have a glimpse of 2020. war was evident with the famous photo by Victor
Jorgensen of a sailor and a nurse in Times Square.
Perhaps the most obvious method is to write in Grab your camera or your cell phone and get some
a journal or a diary. In her diary during World shots of this historical event. Try using various
War II, Nella Last wrote, “I can never understand lighting, different angles or compose the photo in
how the scribbles of such an ordinary person… some unexpected way. Have fun with it and share
can possibly have value.” I suggest that perhaps it it with your friends and family.
is the words of the ordinary person that resonate
with other ‘ordinary people’. Your descendants Maybe painting or drawing is more your
will cherish those entries of your everyday thing. DaVinci, van Gogh, and Renoir certainly
activities, thoughts, feelings and advice. If you documented history. Is there an expression
doubt that, think about the impact Anne Frank has of our empty schools, masked shoppers and
made. She was only 13 but made her experiences overwhelmed health care workers in you? Get
come to life for countless readers. creative, let your feelings out and leave an
expression of the times for posterity.
No special training or equipment is necessary. Just
grab a pen and paper. Or if you prefer, go to your Whatever medium you choose, let’s do our part to
computer. Whether it’s the ‘great American novel’ tell the story.
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