Why You Should Record Your Memories

We write family stories and memoirs because of events in our lives that had some importance or relevance to us and those whom we know as family and friends.

There are many happenings in the years behind us that should not be forgotten but treasured. We want to keep those stories alive for our children and grandchildren and even farther down the line. Yesterday, I wrote about my first train ride. I don't believe any of my four grandchildren, aged 12-22, have ever ridden on a train. They have no idea about compartments, sleeping berths, dining cars, porters and more. Recording that initial introduction to a long train ride is my gift to them. Yes, our words are gifts to our family.

The negative times need to be recorded as well as the good ones. Some people would say that the bad times should be forgotten Put them in a closet and turn the key in the lock.

I don't feel that way. The difficult times in my life have helped me understand myself and others. I have also discovered along this long path of my life that out of all bad comes some good. Granted, there are moments when it's tough to find the good. Look hard enough, and something positive will come through.

Writing about life in your childhood will let others know what living in an earlier time period was like. Your personal family stories will be a small sliver of history in years to come.

What should you write about?
Immigrants should write about the why and the how and the result. Married people must write an account of their wedding. The birth of each child you have should be recorded in a story written by you. Not just the facts but the emotions, the reaction of others and more. Write about a family reunion, painting pictures with words about the individuals who attended.

Write about graduations--your own or a spouse's or your children's. How about vacations? Lots can be written about family vacations. Again, not just where you went, what you saw or ate, but about the people involved, their actions and reactions.

Write about the favorite place where you lived. You want to remember, as Isabel Allende, says in our quote, the reasons that place was special for you. What did it look like? What kind of area was it? Who were the people who lived nearby? What little spots in the house were special to you?

Write for publication or for your Family Stories Book that is for your family. It doesn't matter whether these memories are published for the world to read. That, of course, would be wonderful.
Even if no one but your family members read what you've written, you've done them a great favor, given them a gift of words and memories that will last through the generations.

One last thought. The younger people in your family might not appreciate what you've done until long after you've written your stories. Don't worry. The day will come when they will treasure the words you gave them.