Get your phone, or a mini voice recorder, video camera, or whatever and sit down with your parent and record as much as you can, as soon as you can. All the stories you've heard since you were young, the words of wisdom they've given you, info on family members and ancestors, maybe even some stories you've never heard. Doesn't have to be all at once, just a little at a time will work if that's convenient. There are also professionals who will do a documentary if you have the financial resources.
It may seem too early, or "not the right time", but their memories and abilities to recall details can be gone in an instant, and then it will be too late. My dad had an event in his late 80's while on vacation and suffered some oxygen deprivation, which I'm sure damaged parts of his brain. We finally admitted he wasn't invincible and bought him a voice recorder and had him do his best, but we only got a small and very simplified sample of what I wish we had been able to. I'd love to have recordings of him when he was still sharp to share with grandkids and great grandkids as they grow older.
It may seem too early, or "not the right time", but their memories and abilities to recall details can be gone in an instant, and then it will be too late. My dad had an event in his late 80's while on vacation and suffered some oxygen deprivation, which I'm sure damaged parts of his brain. We finally admitted he wasn't invincible and bought him a voice recorder and had him do his best, but we only got a small and very simplified sample of what I wish we had been able to. I'd love to have recordings of him when he was still sharp to share with grandkids and great grandkids as they grow older.
