"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."

Opening Remarks: Counting Blessings

Now I certainly want to keep on living. And I want to keep an attitude of gratitude. But I’m pleased that I have discovered some important life lessons. Having an opportunity to pass that on to you, treasured readers, is something I am thankful for.

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While the main focus of this newsletter is to share thoughts, ideas, and insights on life story writing you should know that I offer various services and also mention some products and services that can be helpful. You are under no obligation to purchase anything, but if any of these products or services are helpful and you decide to utilize them then I am most grateful.

Thanks for reading. – Tom

Featured Article: Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving Holiday is one of my favorites. It always stirs up fond memories. It is special to be able to gather with friends, especially if you have multiple generations involved. The smell of Autumn leaves, pumpkin pie, turkey in the oven, the laughter of young and old, watching football, chilly days and, of course, stories. Get family around the dinner table and the stories get told. Some of them get better with the years. Others have us rolling our eyes. “Not that one again, Uncle Tom!”

The gathering of the clan for Thanksgiving is probably special for you, too. I hope it is. I know that it is not always possible for families to spend holidays together, but if you do, please make the most of it. Treat each other with kindness. Preserve traditions. And share your stories, especially with the younger ones. Children are hungry to know more about their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family members.

Here’s wishing you a most wonderful Thanksgiving with all the trimmings. Keep an attitude of gratitude. And thank you for reading this. Remember, there are many other insightful and helpful articles on life-story writing here.

Resources You Can Use

Once again Story Corps is encouraging people to take the time to listen – and record – stories from our elders. On Friday, November 26, 2010 (the day after Thanksgiving) find a family member or elder to interview and preserve their story. Chances are you will have the opportunity as family gathers for the holiday. The very act of listening to them will be appreciated. But if you also record (and later write out) the stories they share you will be doing your part to preserve important personal history. Find out more at storycorps.org.

Memory Book from MemoryPress

Are you looking for an affordable and easy-to-use self publishing option for your memoir, autobiography or life story? Consider the Memory Book from MemoryPress . You can build your story through their interactive and user-friendly web interface and also use them to print high quality books of your finished story. I’ve used them for a number of projects and I provide more information with this article.

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