Preserving Our Heritage: A Personal Experience with Legacy Documentation
A candid shot of Nonna and I that Jude took on his Mamiya film camera.
Recently, I embarked on a heartfelt journey to Toronto to document a story very close to my heart – that of my beloved grandmother, Nonna Maria. Through my business, where I offer video and legacy book documentation services, I aim to capture and preserve the invaluable stories that shape our lives. This visit was particularly special because it allowed me to showcase the profound impact that documenting stories can have, both personally and for the families we serve.
Nonna Maria has lived a life brimming with bravery, courage, love, and hard work. From immigrating to Canada as a newlywed at the tender age of 18 to her victorious battle with leukemia, she has a lifetime of stories to share. Growing up, I cherished every moment spent listening to Nonna’s tales. Her stories of growing up in Italy brought me immense joy, while her accounts of settling in Canada as an Italian immigrant inspired me to work hard and persevere. These stories were a cherished part of my childhood, and no matter how many times I heard them, they never lost their magic.
Inspired by her stories, Jude and I planned a trip back to Toronto to capture video footage of Nonna sharing them. Jude also brought along his Mamiya film camera to immortalize these precious moments. Our documentation journey began in Nonna’s garden, a place that holds a special significance for her.
Nonna’s garden is not just a simple flower bed or herb garden (although it does include both). Her spacious backyard garden is a vibrant tapestry of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Even during her battle with leukemia, much to the family's dismay, she insisted on growing tomatoes and green beans. Gardening brings her immense joy, and it felt fitting to start our journey here.
With the microphone on and the camera rolling, Nonna gave us a tour of her garden, sharing stories along the way. One story, which I heard for the first time, was about her tomato plants. She has been growing the same tomato plants since the 60s, using seeds given to my Nonno by one of his coworkers. It’s incredible to think of the history embedded in those plants.
“These stories are more than just memories; they are a legacy that connects generations and keeps our loved ones’ spirits alive”
Nonna is always on the move, and during our tour, she naturally stopped to pull weeds and plant a few more squash seeds. This gave Jude the perfect opportunity to capture some wonderful shots of Nonna in action. While I tried to assist her, she remained strongly self-reliant, insisting she had everything under control.
After the garden tour, we set up the camera in Nonna’s living room to delve into more stories.
We chose this space because it is where Nonna feels most relaxed and at ease. Perhaps it is partly because in this room she is surrounded by the faces of her loved ones. Everywhere you look, there are family pictures hanging, showing the evolution and growth of our family over the years. It is inspiring to witness the love and success that blossomed from the perseverance of two Italian immigrants.
Nonna sharing a touching story of her and Nonno’s journey.
Entering this room bring back many childhood memories for me; afternoons watching Italian soap operas with Nonna and Nonno, Nonna braiding my hair while I watched TV, rolling on the floor being silly with my sister and cousins and watching family videos Nonno took during trips to Italy in the 70s and 80s.
With gentle prompts to guide us on a chronological journey from her childhood to present day, Nonna took the reins and quickly opened up, transporting me back to my childhood days when I would listen to these stories in the same spot.
Although my Nonno is no longer with us, his presence was felt throughout the session. Nonna has a framed picture of him that sits on the chair next to her, where he used to sit. During part of the session, Nonna picked up the picture, holding it close to include him in her storytelling. It was a poignant reminder of the love and connection that transcends time and space.
Documenting Nonna’s stories was a deeply moving experience for me. It reinforced the importance of preserving our loved ones' memories and the rich history they carry. Through my documentation services, I hope to offer others the opportunity to capture and cherish the stories that define their families. These stories are more than just memories; they are a legacy that connects generations and keeps our loved ones’ spirits alive.
Thank you for joining me on this journey of capturing Nonna’s stories. If you are inspired to document precious stories within your own family, reach out to Love's Legacy for assistance. We offer Legacy Books, Documentary-Style Videography Services, and Photography to help you preserve the memories that matter most. Let us help you create a lasting legacy that will be cherished for generations to come.
“Documenting Nonna’s stories was a deeply moving experience for me. It reinforced the importance of preserving our loved ones’ memories and the rich history they carry.”