Memories Image: sxc.hu

Seniors have so much to offer. They have time, wisdom, energy, and stories to tell. Having grandchildren around is often a great gift for them. This allows for them to speak freely about things they remember from when they were young. Some grandparents may benefit from visiting grandchildren because their memories come back to them when they see the smile of their grandchild. Working the memory is a good thing for older adults.  So the next time you are around Grandma, ask her something about the holiday season when she was young!

We also don’t realize how much we wish we had written down these memories or recorded them in some way.  After grandparents are gone, we don’t recall their stories in enough detail.  However, jot down, in words and pictures, what they’ve told you.  Spend time with grandparents and their memories. 

My daughter has admonished, “Mom, write down your memories…for me and the grandchildren.”

We also can record the present events (which will become memories) by recording them in a journal.  One lady told me she’s compiling a Holiday Journal.  Here she writes down what she and her family do for each holiday.

What about you?

Post from: Blisstree

Reader Shares Thoughts of Seniors’ Memories

One friend mentioned she is compiling a journal of holidays. 

Image: sxc.hu

Some are memories of former days and some are a record of current celebrations.

Post from: Blisstree

Saving Thanksgiving Memories with Children

Image: sxc.hu

We love family hikes. We live near mountains right now, so heavy duty hiking is only a short drive, but even the neighborhood does well for everyday walking.

We need to get into the habit of more family game nights. The kids are getting old enough to really enjoy them.

This got me thinking about the heritage of fun and closeness and memories Stephanie and her family are creating.  We have fond memories of activities, during tough times, with our daughter and grandchildren.  They were filled with laughter, too.

To preserve these you can:

• Put photos on CDs
• Create scrapbooks
• Keep journals
• Make collages
• Record stories and memories

Post from: Blisstree

Developing a Family Heritage of Closeness

Image: sxc.hu

(Perhaps I didn’t consider myself history!)  Actually, I didn’t think of my life and my memoris as that important until my daughter reminded me they would be lost if I didn’t record them in some way for her, her children and future generations.

I’ve enjoyed discovering facts and stories, letters and photos concerning my ancestors.  I’m pleased my parents wrote down some of their memores.  But I hadn’t thought much about doing mine.

So…I’ve begun to record and share so my family will have my stories.  I’ve even gotten so involved I’m teaching workshops: Writing Your Family Stories and Preserving Memories through Scrapbooking & Journaling.  I’m also been asked to teach an online workshop on this topic.

Are you preserving your memories and stories?  Some will be joyful, others sad.  I’ve found all of these in my family history and must include them in my memories.

Some are funny, others mundane.  But all are part of your life.  I have stories my mom wrote in letters to me when hubby and I lived across the continent from her.  I don’t think she knew she was humorous in relating family incidents, but I rock with laughter even now when I read them.

Begin your story writing and telling NOW!

Post from: Blisstree

Journaling Memories for Your Children

Image: sxc.hu

There are fireworks in a neighboring town on Friday night.

A parade also is held there on Saturday morning.

We prepare special foods that have become a family tradition, including a barbeque. 

If the weather is good, we also may hold a yard sale this weekend.  Yard sales have become traditional over summer holiday weekends in our town.

I’ll see what photos and memories I can find from my childhood, my daughter’s and the grandchildren.  I should begin compiling them into a scrapbook/journal. 

When I was growning up, my mother’s family always gathered on July 4th.  In later years, as the older generation passed away, my parents established traditions at our home.  I shouldn’t let these family heritage memories disappear into the past.

What do you do to save Fourth of July memories?

Post from: Blisstree

Happy Fourth of July – Saving Memories

Image: sxc.hu

How many of us wish the same…that we’d recorded stories and memories of parents, grandparents and other relatives who are no longer here to tell us about our heritage?  Or we wish we’d at least jotted down some notes as they told stories.

These family stories are precious.  When we hear parents and grandparents telling them, we think we’ll always remember.  Or we may even get tired of hearing them, so tune the person out.

Then, years later, we wish we could recall the details.

It isn’t always convenient to record while someone is talking or it makes them uncomfortable.  At least jot down some notes and record the details.  Sometimes you can even get them to write down their memories, as I did with my dad and aunt.

My mom enjoyed my “interviewing” her as I did other people in my work as a newspaper reporter.  “Are you going to interview me now?” she asked, as we settled at the kitchen table with a cup of tea.

Keep a record of these memories, even when you think you’ll never forget the endless tales of family members. 

Also, record your own memories! 

 ”Mom, you spend so much time on family history but don’t write down your own memories for us,” my daughter commented.  So I’m starting to record mine, too.

Post from: Blisstree

Recording Family Memories

Image: sxc.hu

You’ll find many ways to save your family memories in scrapbooks:

• Simply a collection of pictures with names or captions
• Adding journal notes and explanations to the pictures
• Writing stories and using the photos and pictures to illustrate
• Write a fiction story, or biography, illustrated with scrapbooking techniques, as I’ve been doing with the story of my Uncle William “Buffalo Bill” Mathewson of New York State and Kansas.
• Creating altered books with family stories and memorabilia
• Designing shadow boxes with family collectibles

I enjoy incorporating scrapbooking techniques with family history and being creative with my stories and illustrating.  I even teach classes on this to help others find the pleasure I do.

Where have you found some great resources for scrapbooking?

Post from: Blisstree

Scrapbooking Your Family Memories

 In the United States, we’re celebrating Fourth of July, or Independence Day. There are parades, fireworks, community activities, and for many a weekend off from work.  You may be involved in a craft or quilting show since come towns often feature such events.

When I was growing up, we couldn’t take a day off from the dairy farm. However, we usually visited relatives for a holiday meal, a family reunion type of gathering, then returned home for the evening chores. Then as dusk descended, we watched fireworks from the “Big Hill,” a hay field on a hill top from which we could see for miles. Bursts of fireworks were visible in the darkening sky.

How do you celebrate Fourth of July?

If you don’t live in the United States, do you have a similar holiday? Share with us.

(Amazon image)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Happy Fourth of July from Quilting & Patchwork

  I’ve been checking out some of the Lifestyles Channel blogs participating in the Celebrating Valentine’s Day Round-up and discovered one that brought back memories.  MaryE at Baking Delights describes the Valentine’s Day cake she helped her mother decorate at age three.

This brought back Valentine’s Day memories and family traditions. My mom always baked a special cake on Valentine’s Day and let us children help decorate it. We had a Valentine box with cards for family members. One of us was selected to be the postman and distribute them after supper.

When our daughter was young we had a special meal and dessert.   Now she does this with her children.

Making fun family memories helps build strong bonds, just as quilting as a family does.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Creating Family Memories on Valentine’s Day

Why not start writing down these memories and memories-in-the making?  These are part of your family legacy and should be saved!

If there is interest, I’ll make this a regular feature, where I share quilting memories and tell you about research I’m doing as I develop my Trails End Quilters legacy.   I’ll ask you to start your own memory journal and share your progress here in the comments.  You’re welcome to share memories, too.

Post from: Blisstree

Recording Your Quilting & Family Legacy