When something touches our heart, and it won’t let you go because it’s wrapped up in feelings, an event – a cause and effect that changed you and your life forever. We need to save our memories because they touch us and connect us to ourselves, to the world around us and have a context around the past, present, and future.

How do you save a memory? The best way is to record yourself as the memory is happening or shortly after that. You can always get back to the recording and listen to it, transcribe and edit it and put it in a document, slide-show or book for further ease of remembering a memory. But first, start recording your stories and have a particular folder designated for your voice recording memories.

I’m exhibiting at the 4th Annual Care Conference held at North Seattle College yesterday and today. The vendors are on the edges of where the conference attendees sit. There are frequent breaks for the caregivers to come and talk to us.

I display my books and have some swag for them to take. Most women, (because most are caregivers right?) look down at my paraphernalia and ask me what I do? I give them a simple response, I say, “I record you and your stories and put it in a book like this.” I show them my book. They look through it and say, “nice.” They tell me about their client who has many stories to tell or how they would like to capture their parent’s story. I give them my information and tell them they can call me any time they have a question about putting their memories into a book.

Our own stories impact us daily. I’ve been following #hurricane “Florence and the movement of this situation. I’m concerned for this community and the natural disaster they are facing, but I am also connected to this place because Grant and I were just there two weeks ago. We got up early to watch the sunrise, and we’d marvel at the dolphins swimming and catching fish for their morning feed, we’d walk the beach, watch the grandkids and parents play in the ocean, take Gabe and Julian (the grandboys) fishing. I loved just watching the waves go back and forth on the long stretch of beach.

Grant and I went at least four times to the Fish Head Bar & Grill because this little shack gathered and held people. We’d sit and listen to the sound of the waves while eating our shrimp and fish tacos. They had musicians playing on their pier, and the wait staff would tell us how the owner keeps plenty of extra wood around from the last time they had to rebuild their pier. No way did we know that Florence would be hitting here soon.

Yesterday’s webcam showed the pier still standing against huge waves hitting it. Fish Heads Facebook page asked for prayers. Watch any of the webcams, weather channels and you know the situation is extreme. So I send my thoughts and prayers to everyone in this area. Hopefully, there isn’t too much devastation. or lives lost.  So, to put it in perspective, our stories are the intersection of our hearts, stories and wisdom. This bountiful legacy is important to put in a book for yourself, family and for others to read.

There are now two free weekly storytelling sessions through zoom. One is Women’s stories on Tuesdays and the other is Legacy stories on Wednesday. I’ll add more story times as I get comfortable in doing this. These storytelling times are also recorded in movie and audio so you can hear them anytime if you miss the “live” event. These storytelling times can have you remember which stories are important for you to save. You have an open invite that can be found on my community page. I am also starting 1-2 minute write heart memory prompts. These prompts will be in a movie form and a note-taking pdf to guide you into remembering your stories.

More on Monday, but in the meantime, take care of yourselves and have a great weekend.

Beth