(This blog post is a contribution from Kindra French, owner of 101 Mobility® in San Diego.)
Kindra French
Both my parents were in their late 50’s when they passed away, and with their passing, much of our family’s history was lost to time. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished I knew more about my heritage; not just my family’s lineage, but the stories that shaped the lives of my parents, grandparents, and those who came before them. Each one of us has a story, a series of life experiences that thread together to form an intricate tapestry.
Our lives are masterpieces, and all should be shared with generations to come.
Many of the clients we serve at 101 Mobility® are seniors, older adults who have built a lifetime of stories. They are living legacies. Yet few of them have taken the time to share those stories with their loved ones.
Taking the time to capture your stories on paper, to write your memoir, to ensure that your life tapestry is enjoyed by the generations to follow, is a priceless treasure that you can offer those you love. Your story is worth sharing; your life experiences can have a lasting impact and influence on future generations for years to come!
Take the time to leave a legacy.
Creating your memoir is a labor of love, and can be an overwhelming task. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Organize your thoughts. Step through your memories in a natural progression.
Start by writing down your earliest memory. Perhaps a favorite childhood toy, a family vacation, the birth of a little brother or sister.
Structure your story in chronological order. Progress from childhood, through young adulthood, to today.
Record important family milestones: marriages, graduations, births of children, historic events. Elaborate on your thoughts and feelings as you recall these events.
Collect your thoughts in chunks of time. Focus on one decade at a time and write down important events from just those years.
Sort through old photographs to refresh your memory. Set aside pictures to include in your memoir, and write down details of the photos as you recall them: names of people who appear in the photo, as well as the date, location, or other pertinent information.
Remember that documenting your story is like fitting together pieces of a puzzle or weaving a tapestry; it takes time. Be patient with yourself, but keep at it.
Enlist the help of a professional service. A professional can assist you through the entire process of creating a memoir. They will interview you, help you collect photos, and compile a legacy book that will be treasured by generations to come.
At 101 Mobility®, we believe that everyone we serve is a living legacy, and we are grateful for all of those who allow us to be a part of their story.
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101 Mobility® is here for all your mobility and accessibility needs. Our company has many years of experience helping place seniors, caregivers, and disabled individuals with the equipment needed to stay independent in their lives.
If you’d like to reach us, call (888) 258-0652, send us an email at the Contact Us page, or leave us a comment below.