"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: The Gift of the Present

If you’ve never heard this saying I hope you appreciate it in this season of giving: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why they call it the present."

Thank you to all the new subscribers. I hope you enjoy this month’s issue. You are receiving this e-zine because you signed up for it or someone who is subscribed passed it along to you. If a friend DID forward this to you consider subscribing 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.

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: Driving It Home

If you have family that don’t live nearby you know the challenge that can create. It becomes tough to stay close and connected. Family is important and we should all treasure each other. But sometimes the miles between us make it hard to do.

This is my first full year in my new profession as a school teacher. It is a new career that comes after many years as a radio broadcaster and Internet marketer. Teaching rooms full of junior high students is not easier, especially at this point in my life (mid-50’s). Then again, maybe this is exactly the time in my life to be doing just this.

With the Christmas break arriving I was looking forward to down time and the holidays. However, my father back in Kansas City has recently been ill and in and out of the hospital. Having the time off coincided with the very real and important time to visit. The opportunity was there and I knew it needed to be done.

Fortunately I have a sister who lives with her husband in Kansas City. She’d been keeping tabs on Dad and she also could put me up. A last minute trip of nearly 1,000 miles just before Christmas meant figuring out some logistics. My budget was tight. Staying with her kept the expenses down on lodging and meals.

I also could not afford a flight on such short notice. But, I like to drive. So I took a road trip. Albuquerque, New Mexico to Kansas City along Interstates 40 and 35 is a drive I’ve done before. So I pulled an all-nighter and drove straight through, arriving about eight in the morning.

It was great to see my sister and brother-in-law. I also got to see my nephew. Most importantly, I spent time with Dad. He got better, was released from the hospital and is on the mend. He’ll be 83 on Christmas Day, so I know our days together are limited. Making sure I visited and talked was important to me, just as important as it is for all the people I regularly encourage to do the same.

My father and I are from different generations and different times. We don’t share all the same opinions about certain things. And growing up in the 70’s as the son of an Air Force Colonel was a challenge for the both of us. But what a gift it was to sit with Dad and get him to reminisce.

You may have similar situations in your life. Talking and sharing memories, telling your family members you love them, and making time to be together – these are the priceless gifts we give to each other. Don’t miss out.

What I have discovered is that when it comes to preserving the memories and values of each other it is often hardest to do it for family members. I think the dynamics are tricky. We are too close to it emotionally and we all have points of view (right or wrong) that we bring to the table.

Perspective is needed. Having another person help you, a personal historian specifically trained for this kind of work, can make a huge difference. There are more people joining in this line of work (APH is a great resource to find out more).

You might want to do some family history yourself. I don’t discourage you from that. But consider, too, how a third party, someone not so emotionally attached to your situation, can be helpful.

The visit in Kansas City was great – a real holiday treat! The drive back gave me time to reflect. It drove home the importance of going to see loved ones when it is necessary.

I’m glad I went, but I must tell you the return trip was quite the adventure. When I got about 100 miles away from Albuquerque I rant into a terrific snowstorm that was dumping on New Mexico. I found myself traveling the last miles in some tough conditions. I had to go slow and very carefully. I made it safe and I’m all the more grateful for it. But it also made me think how we often need to go slow and carefully in our relations with others. Preserve your family and life stories, but be careful when you deal with the often challenging parts. Driving along memory lane is sometimes breezy. At other times you need to be cautious.

I hope my personal experience has shed some beneficial insight when you decide to “drive home” for family time and history.

Read other articles on life-story writing here.

Featured Resource

So many people are searching for a way to put their passion to work for them. Doing what you love is a reward in itself, but to make a living out of what you love is important.

How can you truly build an online business that works? I wondered that and had a few false starts along the way. The Internet continues to grow, expand and evolve. Ever since 2003 the one thing that has helped me more than anything else (anything, including email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) is SBI (Site Build It!).

I’m not a guy who responds well to hard sell or hype. I respect those who go about their work with efficiency, ethics, great customer service and a worthwhile service or product. SBI delivers, so if you want to do something meaningful with your passion and harness the Internet/online opportunity to further your avocation I cannot give a higher recommendation to SBI. Right now they’ve got their annual holiday 2-for-1 sale. What better time to investigate?

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