Post by GordonG on Jun 30, 2018 20:10:52 GMT -5
I am currently writing a book about my life. I will be 74 in July and my grandchildren are 7, 5 and 2. While lifetime memories are being built, objectively who knows how many years I have left. I have been thinking about writing this book for a very long time. The motivation comes from not knowing much about my grandparents. Even with my parents I have many unanswered questions about their lives. I started writing essays about my life. That got me going and if nothing else the essays provide some essence of who I am, what I believe and a pretty good overview of my life. The essays include retirement years, stories and memories, army years, school years, what I believe and my passion for bowling. My grandchildren are well indoctrinated in being Giants fans. They are 4th generation Giants fans. My 7 year old grandson loves watching football.
If you are so inclined to write about your life, here are some questions you can ask yourself to get started. Start with the date you were born, your parents names and grandparents names. Go as far back with names as you know. What do you know about your grandparents? WHere did they come from? What did they do for a living? How about their parents?
What is your first memory of home? Where did you live? What was your house like? Your city? Your neighborhood? You touch a little bit of these things, but just barely. I would love to have more context, smells, sights, sounds feelings. What did your mom cook for dinner? Did you have pets? What were the rules in your house? Did you have chores? Did your parents make you get good grades? Were they strict? Were they distracted with their own lives and problems? Who were your mentors and friends?
The more you write the more you will remember. It is truly a trip down memory lane with the benefit of having had experiences that provide an objective perspective on your life. It is not only a gift to your love ones. I believe it can be a gift to yourself.