Not long ago at a class reunion, I started talking to my crush in sixth grade. I had not seen her in years.
I reminded her of the time I took her bowling. My Mom drove us there. It was my first actual date. “No,” she said, “I do not remember that.”
A friend overheard this exchange, and he laughed that I had apparently “left no footprint on the sands of time.” He was right.
For 40-plus years I’ve worked as a memoirist, writing shortbiographiesforbusiness magazines. I’ve helped other make impressions in the sand.
But I never wrote my own memoir until recently… and I’m glad I did. Because I believe everybody’s got a unique story to tell, and we need to verbalize it before we get too old.
Should we all write our life story? It’s hard if we try to explain things on a timeline. It’s much easier if we just tell stories about memorable things we experienced…or reply to questions family members ask about us.
Have you written about yourself? Do it today, so your descendants and friends will know more about your childhood, and your adult feelings, thoughts, and dreams.
Writing about yourself is easier if you first ask yourself questions. You can then answer them in the form of a story that explains what happened to you, the actions you took…and what you learned from the experience.
A memoir company can provide lots of questions to stir your memory. Go online for a list of specialists who offer this service. I think you’ll be glad you did.
Next week, I’ll try to be funny again. But this week I’m wearing a more serious look. .