Memories-Precious and Otherwise: I don't have much of material value, but O the memories! By J.G. Braddock, Sr.
Historically, most family history and traditions have been passed down from generation to generation through word-of-mouth, resulting in a lot of valuable information not making it or making it incorrectly to the next generation.
My father died when I was five. My mother made it point to never talk about him, and I lived most of my younger life far removed from those who could tell me things they knew about him to fill this void that now aches within me. Consequently, I've spent a lifetime vainly trying to satisfy a gnawing hunger to know what my father was like and the experiences, from childhood to adulthood, that made him like he was. Fortunately, my children know—or think they know—what their daddy is like. But they don't know the experiences that molded me. I wrote this to ensure that they will never have to wonder what went into making their daddy like he is.
