Creating Personal Memoirs

"Generations pass like leaves fall from our family tree. Each season new life blossoms and grows benefiting from the strength and experience of those who went before." --Heidi Swapp

It's been some time ago that my grandmother passed away. Her husband, my grandfather, is still alive, but I recorded and printed his history about three years ago. I have recently re-read their histories and gained insight into how to handle certain things that are going on in my life. I have also recorded my husband's grandfather's history. I've recently been listening to the tapes from when I had conversations with him about his life. My daughter is usually fussy if I'm not 100% engaged with her, but when her great-grandpa is talking about his fascinating life, she just sits and takes it in. When I was reading my grandparents' histories, I read them out loud to my daughter, and she loved it! I believe her mind is much more aware than anyone, including myself, gives her credit.

I think this is a great activity that will benefit the people we do it for, as well as ourselves and our children - special needs or not! I know it seems like a daunting task - to either complete our own history or help compile the history of others, but I believe it is worth the effort! My goal is to complete one history each year. This will give me the opportunity to get much more acquainted with my family members, and will provide them opportunities to spend more time with Chloe. And I know that as Chloe soaks in their stories, she will be given more strength, courage and wisdom in knowing how to handle the challenges of her life!

There are many resources to use, but I personally use the book Story of a Lifetime: A Keepsake of Personal Memoirs by Stephen and Pamela Pavuk.

The book provides an easy-to-follow outline that asks thought-provoking questions and easily spurs emotions and memories. Whether you use this book or not, I do believe, after doing this several times, that it is best to have some sort of guide to follow in order to keep your thoughts organized.

Other things to consider adding to the histories would be photographs, mementos, important documents (i.e. birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.), a timeline or chronology for easy viewing of important events, and/or a collection of letters to or from whom the history is about.

I believe understanding our other family members deepens our family roots, and will also deepen those roots for our children and our children's children.

"There are only two lasting bequests we can give our children - one is roots, and the other, wings." -- Hodding S. Carter