October 26, 2003

Issue-002

From Tom Gilbert – Editor and Writer

Opening Remarks: Saving Time?

At any rate it’s a convenient excuse for me to make the point that none of us can “save” time, not in the sense of storing it up. We always have the same amount of time each and every day. What we do with it is another matter. The “Your Life is Your Story” newsletter and our website, Your Life, Your Story, exist to remind us that we really need to preserve “in time” the story of our lives.

This hit home again with the news of a friend of mine dying in a car crash a few days ago. Dan was not a really close friend, but we had some pretty interesting conversations over the past few years. He’s one of several guys I would see at a semi-annual men’s retreat in Northwest New Mexico, out on the Navajo Reservation. Our purpose over each weekend there is to grow spiritually. And grow we do. Dan would make the drive up from Las Cruces, a good six hours or so. He was a bit of a loner, a physical specimen from constant working out, a good soul who did a lot for others and a man dealing with his past and his present. He had a heck of a story and his life has ended suddenly (and much too soon).

Of course, there is a point to telling you this. We’re here for a short time. Each of us lives, loves, laughs, cries and passes on. Your story should pass on, too. Think about it…

So long, Dan, it was good to know you.

I want to extend a warm welcome to our new subscribers. I’m grateful that you’ve signed up for this free e-zine. If you like what you read here, do a friend and me a big favor and “pay it forward.” If a friend DID forward this to you and if you like what you read, please subscribe by visiting our signup page . (And yes, I did recently remodel my web site design. I hope you like it.)

In this Issue:

Opening remarks: Saving Time?
Feature: Just a Game
Current and Coming Up: Holidays and Highlights
Resources you can use: Association of Personal Historians

Feature Article: Just a Game

(Note: the World Series just wrapped up with the Florida Marlins as the surprise champions. They won in six games over the fabled New York Yankees. The following article was written at the end of the American League Championship Series. Baseball and life – there are lessons here.)

My daughter came up to me the other night and asked if I needed a hug. We embraced and I thought what a marvel that she would care to comfort me.

As a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan it was just another in a long series of disappointments. The seventh and deciding game in the American League Championship Series and the Red Sox had watched their lead evaporate in the bottom of the 8th inning in a dramatic Yankee comeback. Then Aaron Boone sent a soaring shot over the left field wall to lead off the bottom of the 11th inning to send the New York Yankees to yet another World Series.

And Boston fans everywhere cried out in pain. (Yes, Cub fans, I too feel your pain.)

Hey, it's just a game. That's what most people will say. And they are right. It is just a game, but it is also a lot like life. There are ups, downs, fastballs, curves, long delays and lightning changes. Sometimes we start, sometimes we ride the bench. Sometimes we get the call from the bullpen.

A great deal has changed for me in the seventeen years since Boston was last in a seven game series. That year they lost a heartbreaker to the Mets. And before that, in 1975 it was the short end of a seventh game against the Cincinnati Reds. In the intervening years I've maintained my allegiance to the Bosox, but my life priorities have radically changed. I discovered that God really does love me (and you and even all those people we have a hard time liking) and that all He really wants from us is to discover who we truly are - a beloved son or daughter.

It's a Guy Thing

It's true that most women are not as enamored of sports as we men. Oh, I know there are fans. By and large, however, women are not as rabid about the game. That's probably a good thing. Women are by nature more nurturing. Men are more concerned with making the big plays and scoring runs.

Maybe I'm just getting older and mellower. Or maybe God is working the rough edges off. I'm learning to accept loss better and to really believe that it is more important how I play the game. My job is to be the best team player I can and to be accountable for my actions. Simple, but not easy.

Just a game? Life is much more. We can be alive in every moment and find a way to make life a prayer. I didn't learn that from baseball, but I can see the truth of that while watching great drama like that game in Yankee Stadium.

Current and Coming Up: Holidays and Highlights

(Hint, hint: A family member’s life story would make a great gift!)

Our current “Highlight Site” focuses on Ancestry.com. They have a lot of good resources to help in researching your family history.

You can use a number of their resources free or you can opt for the greater depth that comes by being a subscriber. Give the subscriber option a try with a 14-day free trial.

See more about ancestry.com and their affiliated family of online services by visiting our current “Highlight Site” page. Do it soon because I’m updating the “Highlight Site” in a couple of weeks. I know you’ll enjoy learning more about another great personal historian service, but that’s next month.

Resources you can use: Association of Personal Historians

It’s well worth checking out if you are looking for good people to help you tell your story. Visit it here. I just signed up as a member and I’ll be heading up to Denver in early November for the annual conference. I’ll give you a report in next month’s issue.

Thanks for reading and here’s to writing your story. Do give it some serious consideration because I just know you’ve got a great story to tell!

Any comments, ideas or feedback is greatly appreciated. Just reply to this ‘zine and tell me what you think!

Until next time – keep your story alive!

Tom Gilbert