Have you thought about writing a few stories about yourself to leave for the generations to come so that when they see your picture in a family album you will be much more than just an old photograph? Are you leaving a written legacy that will allow your loved ones to know and understand the real "you"?
2007-11-14 13:16:59 · 21 answers · asked by Bethany 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
I've already done it. After my mom died I started writing down all the stories she'd told me about her family tree. Then I sat down with my dad and recorded all his stories to add to my book. When that part was done I gave a questionnaire to everyone in the family 12 and older and from that I was able to add impressions from all generations. I also included sections of family recipes, photos and statistics. I published the book and gave a copy to everyone in the family. I'd feel strongly that family history needs to be passed on. I hope one day someone else in the family will pick up where I left off.
2007-11-15 01:52:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've written my memoirs this year. Started with just a few stories, then it just "grew", and now I'm just filling in a few gaps. I've been pretty honest, unlocked all the skeletons, so I'm still in two minds of whether to give my kids a copy now, or to leave it for them to find when I'm gone. In any case, I've done it in a nice format, and have included photographs in the appropriate places.
My parents led really interesting lives, but they didn't talk a lot about it, and when they passed on, all those memories were gone. I sometimes wonder why they did this or that thing, and now I'll never know. So I feel pretty good that my kids, or grandkids, will know the family stories, and have some insight into the whys and wherefores.
Its also very good therapy, and I highly recommend the exercise of doing it. You have to think about all the things that have happened, and the decisions you made. I found out a lot about myself whilst writing it, and although there were some tough times, I'm glad I stuck to it. I'm getting close to completing it, and I feel a great sense of having fulfilled a difficult mission. Feels great !
2007-11-15 01:15:10 · answer #2 · answered by Stella 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just saw Marcia Cross on GMA talking about the Legacy Keepers where you can do an oral narative and put in on cd and then put pictures, jewelery, whatever keepsakes you want to share with someone when you are no longer on this planet.
And Andrew Weil suggests a legacy will, which is probably like a memoir for your family as well as a regular will and living will.
So yes eventually I'll have compiled one for my nephew.
2007-11-15 01:15:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have been doing a bit of work on that, but mostly I have been writing down stories from my parents. Just a list of random things so far. My dad is losing his speech so any information I can get out of him I want to keep for the future, but there is a big space that I'm still hoping for him to fill in soon. I also am working on my family genealogy.
2007-11-14 17:49:54 · answer #4 · answered by noonecanne 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes several fokes have ask me to write about my life and some of the people that I have worked with and met.Wish I could remember all the details.Even tho I'm only 60 I met a lot of great cowboys some famous some not.Met a lot of great pilots in my life including Hugh's.Worked for Maxie Anderson the balloon pilot.Got a ways to travel back in time. Boy I really miss them
2007-11-14 14:27:32 · answer #5 · answered by gggggg 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I come from a family of people who kept journals or diaries. My mother and grandmother were particularly prolific....how we treasure them today.
Like them, I have been keeping notes and stories for years. Up until recently, I wrote in a huge lined spiral-bound book...but, today, I store them in Word on this beastly computer.
Sooner or later, your children will reach an age where they will become extremely curious about their ancestors. Usually about the same time they realize their own mortality.
I enjoy reading my mothers journals so much. She's been dead for 4 years and I miss her so much. Reading her diaries and journals bring her back - at least for a while.
2007-11-15 04:57:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've already started - but mine is based more on telling the stories of our forebearers...so that my kids, grands etc. can 'get to know' their family history...complete with pics of same.
My mom is the last of that generation and she now has Alzheimers so I am pressed to put everything down on paper/pc that I remember about my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins etc so that everyone younger can appreciate the accomplishments, humor, events and experiences of a day gone by and the folk that fashioned them!
2007-11-14 22:38:27 · answer #7 · answered by sage seeker 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My children have asked me to do so on numerous occasions. So far I have only written snippets of things I have remembered that I think would be of interest but I have never sat down to do a thorough job. I'm 70 so I suppose I'd better get going!
2007-11-15 04:56:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've already written memoirs for the family. Everything I want them to know, however, would be the size of three very lengthy novels.
2007-11-15 11:07:36 · answer #9 · answered by Holiday Magic 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I write poetry and have various journals I've written. My husband's late uncle wrote a story of when he was young and the family loved reading that. It might be a good idea for me to write down some stories of me and my family too. Thanks for mentioning this.
2007-11-14 13:23:02 · answer #10 · answered by luvspbr2 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋