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The
"Your Life is Your Story" Blog Archives
© Tom
Gilbert
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quality family history and life story news, views, methods, products,
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historian
July,
2018
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High School Classmate Makes Home Town Sports Hall of Fame
July 23, 2018
I am tooting a horn today for somebody most of you won't know. But I
can't help it. These are the kind of "everyday people stories" I love.
Tom Neidl was one of my classmates at Rome Catholic High. He was a good
athlete, but an even better person. He had a strong moral compass
without being a "wet blanket" (if you know what I mean). And even
though I didn't keep in touch with him after we graduated (aside from a
couple of class reunions), it is clear he made his mark with his
coaching career.
Tommy was a beloved and highly successful high school football coach.
He led the Cazenovia Lakers to multiple winning seasons over a 30 year
career. He also was a good husband and dad. Sadly, he passed away at
the end of 2016. But news broke today in the Rome Sentinel that Neidl is being inducted into the Rome, New York Sports Hall of Fame.
Way to go, Tom!
Your friends and classmates from school are living their lives and
hopefully making the most of it. I hope you are, as well. Never take
for granted the time you have. Keep in mind, too, that you and they
have a story. Our life stories are important to share so that we can
help each other along our journeys.
Journaling Check Up
July 18, 2018
Although I may not be as regular in some kinds of writing, including here on my blog for Your Life Is Your Story, one area that I am faithful to writing nearly everyday is in my journal.
I have been keeping journals for years. I have used both handwritten
journals and digital. I like writing on a computer because I can type
pretty fast and it helps me get my thoughts out. Handwritten journals
have their advantages too, such as being more readily available,
portable and allowing for doodling and illustrations. I enjoy keeping
my journal writing on files that I can return to and reflect on.
Journal writing reflection can be helpful in a lot of ways. Check out an article I wrote about this very subject back in 2013. I think it still has timely points.
Journals are not necessarily for anyone else to read, although they
could be. Some people turn journals into memoirs. It certainly can be a
helpful record for inspiration when writing life stories.
I find that I will write about a lot of different things in my journal
entries. Usually it is a conversation with myself and not something I
would make public. Sometimes it is deeply spiritual. At other times I
may be musing more about events in my daily life or what is going on
with family and friends. There have been times when my journal entries
have led to inspiration for articles or other written pieces. The
freedom to write whatever I want and to sort of test it out by getting
the thoughts from my head to the page (or screen) is often therapeutic.
Do I ever write my feelings or observations about what is happening on
a more global scale? Yes, sometimes, but it is not that often that I
will get political. I guess it just depends on what is happening in the
world that strikes a nerve and that I feel I need to process with
writing. In other words, for me, my journals are not necessarily
rants.
It is totally up to you what you make your journals about. I find that
keeping a positive outlook on life, even through various struggles and
having gratitude be an ongoing theme helps me as both a writer and a
human being.
Journal writing can certainly help you grow as a writer. Like anything
that needs practice writing benefits and improves over time when you do
it regularly. So if for no other reason than to grow as a writer I will
continue to journal. But I know that I am doing it for more than the
benefit of honing my writing skill. I journal write so that I can help
make sense of life and that makes it an ongoing adventure.
On the Road With Kin
July 8, 2018
"On the road again, I just can't wait to get on the road again." So
sang Willie Nelson in one of his more popular songs. Borrowing from
that theme, summertime is often when many families get on the road for
vacation, driving to various destinations.
Road trips with family (on the road with kin) can be both enjoyable and
stressful. Mostly they are memorable, thanks to the good times and the
bad. Anyone who has driven long distances with their children can
attest to the highs and lows of such travel. You know the oft repeated
weary refrain: "Are we there yet?"
Anyone who has seen the hilarious road trip comedy National Lampoon's Vacation recognizes that not all goes according to plans, no matter how well you prepare.
I've been following the exploits of a somewhat epic road vacation by a
teacher friend of mine. She, her husband and two adorable little girls
have been all over the Eastern portion of the United States the past
month. It is a long journey from New Mexico. But from the many social
media posts I can tell they are having a vacation for the ages. Surely
the girls will long remember the many places they've been and the good
times with relatives.
Recently my brother took his 16 year old son on a long trip from
Virginia to the midwest. They started by bus because one of the goals
was to pickup an important purchase. My brother was buying a vintage
1986 Trans Am for his son and then they were driving it back home. But
as part of the journey they made stops in places like Chicago,
Indianapolis and Cleveland. The "Windy City", Indy 500 racetrack
and Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame are worthy stops along the way. I am sure
both father and son will never forget the road trip, expecially the
bonding resulting from such experiences.
Road trips give us a chance to expand our horizons, both figuratively
and literally. We get out of our normal routines and we spend many
miles in each other's company. The travels are about seeing new or old
places, but also living lives of adventure. This nurtures our spirits
and forges strong bonds. And that contributes to our life experiences
and can make us better, even more appreciative, people.
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