But, I remember him so clearly.
My family has hearing problems, it's hereditary, passed from one generation to the next.
So, although I knew of this recording of my Grandfather's voice that was recorded in the 1960's before he passed away, I could never hear the recording enough to understand his words.
The little cassette tape of my grandfather's voice, is an interview for the local newspaper at the time, about the changes to wildlife in that area.
My brother asked me to find someone to change the cassette to a CD, so it can be kept for our future generations.
We called our grandfather PapPaw.
PapPaw's recorded voice was sent to Washington state to a small family owned business named, Media Locks.
PapPaw would have loved the idea of his recording being sent so far away.
The CD arrived today.
Like a child ready for a wonderful treat, I put my headphones on and listened to my Grandfather's voice.
It was the voice I knew so well, and I could hear the voices of the several generations since his passing, having that same old time twang.
PapPaw's recording is 40 minutes long. He loved to talk, strange to say that, when one of my most typed words on the net is, " I love to talk , always have ".
This voice, so raw, so country, brought back the memories of how people once talked.
The phrases that are no longer a part of today's language.
This morning, is my Christmas, thanks to that reporter all those years ago, giving my grandfather a copy of the interview.
To you who reads this blog, we are here but once, record your voice for your future generations.
They say, a picture is worth a thousand words, but it's the voice, the voice most really do take for granted.
May you heed my words so someday, 60 years from your recording, someone sits and listens to your words...your words spoken during your world, your era.
If you do this, you will be giving the most precious gift of all.
Here's wishing everyone on this planet we call Earth, a wonderful peaceful holiday.
Best wishes, Linda
