From Tom Gilbert – Editor and Writer, www.your-life-your-story.com

In this Issue:

Opening remarks: At Peace with Life and Death
Featured Article: Memorable May
Resources You Can Use: iMemoryBook, My Blog
Closing Info

Opening Remarks: Peace with Life and Death

It has also been a month of family memories – some happy, some sad. My daughter graduated from high school this month. At the commencement I admit my vision was “blurred” a bit. Somehow my eyes kept watering. Yes, this proud papa had tears of joy.

On Mother’s Day weekend I was in Kansas City visiting my mom. My parents live there and so, too, does my sister with her husband and her two beautiful children. It was a short, but deeply spiritual visit. My mother has cancer and she is nearing the end of this earthly life. She is completely at peace with her approaching death and ready for what is next. I was so glad to see her and have some important time with her. In a way, my mom is my "unofficial" spiritual advisor.

So, life goes on and death is part of that. Memories are being made by each living moment. The secret is not to dwell in the past or the future but to live in the now. Live fully and then share this life with others.

I thank all of you who are reading this newsletter and visiting my site about life story writing. I hope that you are finding helpful information and motivation. You can always email me with questions and comments. I welcome the feedback.

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Thanks for reading. – Tom

Featured Article: Memorable May

I don’t know how much time you consciously spend recognizing life as it happens. I’ve been reflecting on the importance of living in the now. Because I encourage others to reminisce and to preserve their life story there can be a tendency to dwell on the past. What is important is to look at the past and learn from our mistakes, be grateful for our good times (and even for some of the bad), and pass our story on to others in a way that can be useful.

It can be easy to feel resentment, and sometimes bitterness, over past experiences. Remember, we are all human and that won’t change. Be careful to avoid morbid reflection. You have to take the good with the bad and all of it makes up your story.

May is memorable for many reasons. There is Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. Graduation often takes place in May. Spring is in full bloom and summer looms. Many of us shake off the winter slumber and become more active with the warmer weather. There is baseball, boating, camping and other outdoor activities.

Since this is the Memorial Day Weekend I hope you are taking some time to remember those who’ve given their lives for others, particularly our Armed Forces members. It is hard on families and friends to have loved ones away, especially if they are in areas of conflict, such as Iraq. If you know someone with family members serving overseas be sure to let them know you care. You don’t have to support a war to support the troops.

I like May because the Holiday season of November through January is over, and life tends to slow down a bit. Of course this is not always true. In fact, I’m pretty busy right now with work projects. Still, I can sit on the patio and gaze at the backyard. I can sometimes let things slow down and just be. My dog, Shadow, does this much better than me. Maybe I should pay more attention to how he lives each day. When I let go of the busyness of life I find my memories come flooding in, but not in a way that haunts me. It is a good and spiritual reflection.

This May my daughter graduated from High School. It is a milestone in her life, and for my wife and me, as well. We are very proud of her.

This May my Mom is transitioning from this life to the next. She has terminal cancer and I was able to visit her in Kansas City for Mother’s Day and we had some special time together. I have not had any immediate members of my family die so this is new territory for me.

Also, I’ve been running and training for a half-marathon in San Diego that takes place Sunday, June 4. I’ve never attempted anything like this before, but the training has gone well and I feel ready. I’m doing the run with Team in Training, an organization that is part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and I’m fundraising for them as part of my participation.

This has indeed been a memorable May. Life is full.

You can read other articles on life-story writing here.

Resources You Can Use

iMemoryBooks are a great way to share your life story. There are a couple of ways to do this. You can buy the main package for less than $200 and your story will be online forever as well as getting one hardcover book. Plus, you can affordably order additional books and because your story stays online (password protected so you can share it only with those you choose to) you can update it in the future. Or you can use the Heirloom package for just $49.95 that allows you to follow the same process. Plus, you get a $37 coupon towards the cost of your project that gives you a 25 page full-color or 150 page black and white hardbound book. For more information and to get started visit here

Your Life is Your Story Blog

I pass along information on a regular basis on various life story and personal history ideas, methods and timely news here

Closing Information

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