Being the youngest, born when my parents were in their 40s, I met a lot of family who are now gone that I did not pay much attention to, etc. When you're a kid, being "dragged" to Springfield, MO every month to see my grandparents (on my mother's side), I was so bored, I didn't really behave that well. I always saw Springfield as "old-peoples" town cuz that's all I ever saw. Of course, they are both gone...my father's parents were gone before I was born. My father departed 16 years ago....so much I missed! Now my mother is still here, at 83, & my sisters & I got her a tape recorder to start recording some memories but we've all been bad about getting this started. I do have the genealogical background but those are names and dates, not the stories. As a historian, I know I need to get on this before she goes...most of my father's family is gone. Maybe this discussion will get me moving.... Gina Danna