November 28, 2004
"Your past is your story up to now. The future is the story yet to come. The present is where you live with that experience, your hopes and your dreams."
Your Life is Your Story Newsletter
November 28, 2004 Issue-015 – Start Spreading the News
From Tom Gilbert – Editor and Writer, www.your-life-your-story.com
Opening Remarks: Start Spreading the News
As the popular Frank Sinatra song goes, "start spreading the news". You don’t have to be in New York City either. Anyone can begin to spread the family news as easy as a phone call or an email.This time of year it is common for us to visit relatives and gather for the holidays. I hope that many of you got the opportunity to do just that with the Thanksgiving holiday.
Think about how great it would be to update all your friends and family with a well-written and entertaining family newsletter. Many people do that (my Aunt Lois Anne does a great one every year). But, if you haven’t considered it and would like some help be sure to check out this issue’s featured article on how I can write your family newsletter.
Oh, and on this Thanksgiving weekend, thanks to you for reading!
Visit the Your Life is Your Story blog for more on life story living.
Thank you to all who are subscribed and/or reading the Your Life is Your Story newsletter. The number of people subscribed has steadily grown and it’s gratifying to know that the message of telling your story grows with it. It is a special thing to share with you life story writing and personal history tips, resources and thoughts. If you like what you read here, pass it along to a friend. If a friend DID forward this to you and if you like what you read, please subscribe by visiting our signup page . Also, let me know what you’d like to see more of in this newsletter – simply reply to this email e-zine.
Thanks for reading. – Tom
In this Issue:
Opening remarks: Start Spreading the News
Featured Article: Your Family Newsletter
Resources You Can Use: Veterans Project, Family Learn – Heart to Heart, Family Legacy Video™
Feature Article: Your Family Newsletter
Featured Article: Your Family NewsletterBy Tom Gilbert
The Memories and Events - The Stories of the Year - About and to Your Family and Friends
The Holidays are here. That can bring about a range of emotions: joy and gratitude or anxiety and moodiness. One thing is certain; the holidays are a time of remembrance and for making new memories. This is a natural time for families to gather together, enjoy meals and tell stories. Some of those stories are timeless…and priceless. Nuggets of family history passed on in the tradition of oral history.
Unfortunately, these stories are often told, but not recorded. A memoir or life story is an ambitious project. It is certainly worth considering, but as a way to ease into that process you should consider sending out a year-end family newsletter.
The past twelve months contain personal family history unique to your clan. Commemorate it with an enjoyable spin down memory lane! It’s not hard to piece together the important highlights of the past year. Look through your journal or diary. I bet you’ve saved some emails and letters, too.
Has anybody in the family received media attention? Newspaper clippings, magazine articles or video/photographs need to be acknowledged. The same goes for work and professional recognition (such as a company newsletter or trade publication).
Like many people, you recognize the value of this, but you may not have the time or inclination to write it yourself. Take advantage of our current special and let Your Life is Your Story do it for you.
What You Get
I’ll write a fun, entertaining and concise family newsletter suitable for printing or sending by email. You provide the events and information you want included and I’ll flesh out the details in a highly readable report of your family’s 2004 experiences.
Click here to see an example.
This past year was history. Share that history with the rest of the family. Let Your Life is Your Story write it for you. What a great way to remember and honor each other. Start a good annual tradition.
Go here to find out more.
Resources You Can Use
The Veterans ProjectIn the United States there are thousands of American Veterans - men and women who have served their country in various 20th century wars. Each of them has a story, often a vivid and heartfelt account that is not a history of war but personal recollections that make us laugh, cry and remember. The Veterans History Project collects and preserves the extraordinary wartime stories of ordinary people. Anyone can contribute.
You can find more information here .
Family Learn – Heart to Heart
My favorite online family history site is Family Learn - Heart to Heart. This site allows family members to all participate in building a family tree, storing personal history stories, uploading photos, images and much more. You don't have to be a genealogist to use and love it. It's a learning experience as you use it and I recommend checking it out.
Family Legacy Video™
This is a great site full of tips and helpful products to produce your own video biographies. Steve Pender has done commercial video work for many years and also creates family legacy videos. Be sure to check out his Producer's Guide.
That’s it for this month’s issue. Thanks for reading and here’s to telling your story. Do give it some serious consideration because I just know you’ve got a great story to tell! Be sure to see the Get Started section.
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