Blog archive
March 2024
Addressing The Needs of Older Adults Through Pasadena Village
03/25/2024
Coming Soon: More Resources for Older Americans, Online and in Person
03/25/2024
Community Building Locally and Nationally
03/25/2024
Preparing for the Future with Ready or Not
03/25/2024
Volunteering is at The Heart of the Village
03/25/2024
Women's Liberation: Then and Now
03/25/2024
Writing Memoirs Together
03/25/2024
Current Views on Current Events
03/20/2024
Unchained
03/18/2024
Rumr of Humor issue # 2409
03/10/2024
Blacks Portrayed by European Artists
03/03/2024
Rumor of Humor #2408
03/03/2024
February 2024
Caring for Ourselves and Each Other
02/27/2024
Doug Colliflower Honored
02/27/2024
Great Decisions Connects Us to the Worldwide Community
02/27/2024
Letter from the President
02/27/2024
Pasadena Village's Impact
02/27/2024
The Power of Touch
02/27/2024
Villages as a New Approach to Aging
02/27/2024
Addressing Gang Violence in Pasadena-Altadena
02/21/2024
Rumor of Humor Issue 2407
02/19/2024
Thank You For Caring.
02/12/2024
Rumor of Humor 2405
02/11/2024
Curve Balls
02/10/2024
Sylvan Lane
02/10/2024
Rumor of Humor 2404
02/09/2024
Larry Duplechan, Blacks in Film
02/03/2024
January 2024
Pasadena Village Joins Community Partners in Vaccination Campaign
01/29/2024
Rumor of Humor #2403
01/28/2024
Pasadena Village Joins Two Healthy Aging Resource Projects
01/25/2024
Decluttering: Do It Now
01/24/2024
Village Volunteers Contribute to the Huntington Magic
01/24/2024
Villagers Creating Community
01/24/2024
Villagers Reflect on Black History Month
01/24/2024
Walk With Ease, 2024
01/24/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2402
01/21/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2401
01/15/2024
Re- Entry Programs, a Personal Experience
01/08/2024
MY LIFE, MY STORIES
By Blog MasterPosted: 08/29/2021
The end result is a hardcover book, complete with photos, titled - “The Life Stories of Sally Asmundson”. The genesis of my book is a story in itself.
It was June 2020, and the pandemic lockdown meant that the annual Village Movement California conference was on Zoom. I attended a session on intergenerational programs where I heard Brittany Bare, of San Francisco, speak about her intergenerational effort, My Life My Stories. It sounded interesting to me and I realized I could participate via Zoom. I emailed Brittany and just a few weeks later she had paired me with a young man who would interview me over a period of 4-6 weeks. From that a book would be made with some of my stories.
My Life, My Stories is a non-profit organization that shares the life legacies of older adults through the power of intergenerational relationships. Their vision is to build relationships between the young and the old to create a more empathetic and connected community.
The project went beyond my imaginings. I was paired with Jordan, a recent college graduate who is still learning and finding his place in the world. We met on Zoom once a week for 8 weeks and, while he asked me questions from the script he’d been provided, we really connected, and I learned a lot about him as well. A particularly deep connection was made when we learned that we had both been to Alaska specifically to see the Aurora Borealis and that it was a profound experience for both of us.
Even though Jordan is 23, a Black man from New Jersey and I am 80, a white woman in California, we learned that we had so much in common. We shared stories. I sent him pictures and I met his mother. We still keep in touch with Zoom every month or two and I am now one of his friends who is providing feedback about a story he is writing. I hope that maybe someday we will get to meet in person but even if we never meet in person I can still treasure the connection we have made.
For more information about My Life, My Stories visit their website at Mylifemystories.org