By Rachel Paxton
A family memory journal is a fun, easy
way to preserve family memories. A couple of years ago I
was sorting through a pile of unused journals (many given
to me as presents!) and was trying to come up with a way
to put them to good use.
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One day after a family gathering, I sat down and wrote a short
description of the gathering in one of the unused journals.
I wrote where the gathering took place, the occasion we were
celebrating, the names of the people who had attended, and anything
about the day that had stood out in my memory. I did this for
the next couple of family get togethers and then just stuck
the journal in a drawer somewhere.
It didn't seem like that big of deal at the time, but probably
a year or more later I pulled out the journal again and looked
at the entries I had made. It was really fun reading them again.
I had already forgotten some of the things that had happened,
or thoughts that I had at the time that fortunately I had thought
to write down.
I've been really forgetful about writing in my family memory
journal, but in the past couple of years have probably chronicled
two or three family events a year. When you think about it,
25 years from now, the journal will be full of family memories.
Family journals are a great thing to pass down to your children
and grandchildren. At the time they don't really care about
what's going on, but some day they will appreciate being reminded
of some of their childhood memories.
In the past year or so I've really gotten into scrapbooking.
I was just thinking that my memory journal will be a great resource
for my scrapbooking projects. Sometimes it takes months to get
your photos ready and pages laid out. By that time you will
forget any memories you had to go along with them. If you have
your family memory journal, you can use it to add journaling
to your scrapbook pages, with your memory as clear as if you
had taken the pictures yesterday.
Don't let time pass you by and let those special family moments
get away from you. Sometimes an event as routine as "another
family birthday party" might make a great memory later
in life. Especially when older relatives start passing away,
it's special remembering the times they were involved in family
get togethers. Someday when you're that older person, your youngest
family members will enjoy reading about their great- and great-great
grandparents.
About The Author: Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom
who is the author of What's for Dinner?, an e-cookbook containing
more than 250 quick easy dinner ideas. For recipes, tips to organize
your home, home decorating, crafts, and more, visit Creative Homemaking
at http://www.creativehomemaking.com.
Email: rachel@creativehomemaking.com.
Reprinted with permission. Copyright © 2001 ArticleCity.com
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