Put Your August Memories In A Book

We're well into a new month--six days worth already. So, it must be time for me to remind you to add some more of your memories of summer days to the add-to book you're keeping for your children and grandchildren. You don't need to be a professional writer to do this. Every person who knows how to put pencil to paper or fingers to keyboard can do it.

What? You haven't started one yet? Horrors! For the uninitiated, let me give you a quick rundown. Get a large 3 ring binder and section dividers. One divider for each of our twelve months of the year. When each new month rolls around, spend some time writing your memories of what it was like in your childhood, teen years or whenever. Write a family story that occurred in that month. If you add a little to the book each month, you'll soon have a wonderland of memories and stories. And yes, anyone can do this. I firmly believe that we need to leave something behind for our family members that gives them a picture of what life was like for each one of us. 

Maybe you grew up on a farm and none of your grandchildren have done so. Let them see what it was like being a rural kid. Show them the fun parts, the hard work involved, the feeling of being out in the country and more. For those who grew up in a city environment, like I did, tell them about the games you played on concrete instead of grassy fields. Write about the city transportation your family used. 

Whether you grew up on farm or city, tell them about your school, your teachers, the church you went to, the special events throughout each year. Many of you may have attended your county or state fair in August. What was it like? How many days ahead did you start anticipating the visit? Did you ever get sick when you ate too much cotton candy and more at a fair? 

Years ago, schools started the year later than most do today, but late August meant your mom started getting you ready for the school year. What did she do? What supplies did your family need to buy for you to take to school? Did you always have a new outfit on the first day of school? New shoes? Or did you wear the same old patched pants from the year before? Details that seem minor or even taken for granted can be real eye-openers to whoever reads your memory book in years to come. 

I so often hear people say they plan to write their memories and family stories. They keep on planning it but somehow never get around to it. If you haven't started yet, August of 2013 is the perfect time. Head out today to purchase your notebook. Buy the large one because, once you start, you'll be amazed at how much there is to tell. It doesn't matter how you write it--longhand or on the computer and printed--the important thing is to get going now. Make a section of memories of the weather, the current events when you were in whatever grade, the kinds of things your family ate. Then write full stories about something that happened. They can be a few paragraphs or a few pages. It's up to you. Tell the story, show the story as you remember it. 

There are 25 days left in this month. Plenty of time. What are you waiting for? Don't just think about it. Do it!