Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. ~From the television show The Wonder Years
Everyone has a story to tell, memories of their life to share. It is important that children and grandchildren hear those stories.
Tips for Recording Memories/Stories for Your Grandkids
What was life like when you were growing up, or when you decided to have children, when your grandchildren were born? You can give your grandchildren something that no one else can: a gift of your memories.
Within 13 months I lost my father and father-in-law. How I wish we would have recorded more of their stories. We have lots of pictures, but I wish we would have used other means of recording their history.
There are a variety of ways you can record your memories so you capture lots of details.
Ways To Record Your Memories
Scrapbooking
Using pictures and writing to record your memories. This can be done on online sites such as Shutterfly, Snapfish, or Smilebox.
Or you can create physical scrapbooks by purchasing a scrapbook and supplies. Amazon has a huge selection of scrapbook materials or you can purchase at your local Walmart, Target or Craft store.
Journaling
Don't you wish your grandparents had written down their life stories? A journal enables you to write down yours! They often includes guided questions and prompts to help you tell your grandchildren your story.
There are some specifically for grandfathers as well.
Recordable Keepsake Journal
Grandmother, Tell Me Your Story is a recordable keepsake journal that provides grandmothers with the opportunity to document their life stories and record their memories for their grandchildren.
The journal is designed to help Grandma record life’s major events; personal thoughts and anecdotes; and family history and traditions through audio recordings, photos, and the written word. Capturing the sound of someone’s voice is a treasure in itself.
You could capture your voice with a simple voice recorder and make copies and give to your grandchildren as well.
Voice recorders are inexpensive and easy to use.
Video
Using your phone or another video recording device, you can not only capture the sound of your voice, but your expressions, and facial features on video. What a gift for those you love.
If you decide to go this route, you will probably need a tripod of some sort to hold your camera.
I also recommend a wireless lapel microphone.
Other Ideas
If you are not into telling your story, or you don't remember details, perhaps you could consider recording a pre-written story with your voice. Just capturing the sound of your voice will be a gift to your family.
Capturing your story is important, don’t let the memories die with you. Keep them alive for generations to come by gifting your memories to your children and grandchildren.
