While
writing letters has become almost as common as listening to music on a Walkman,
there can be an enormous benefit to engaging in a particular form of letter
writing.
Epistolary
memoirs are life events that have been captured in the form of written
correspondence--yes, letters! You may ask, “Why would I want to do that?”
Passing
along your memoirs is obviously important to succeed in offering your personal version of
your life’s events and in order to prevent the stories from becoming forever
lost. It offers loved ones a tangible form of documentation to preserve and
hand down to future generations. Writing about your experiences in letter form
is simply another option that might enable you to more easily allow the stories
to flow.
Tackling
Epistolary Memoirs
1-Chart
a list of your memories and highlights that you want to be certain to include.
2-Choose
an individual (child, grandchild, niece, nephew) or group of people (children,
grandchildren, etc.) and write your stories directly to that person or group,
clearly explaining about the people involved in the stories, exactly what
occurred, the positive or negative impact on you and perhaps how you feel about
those events.
3-Don’t
forget to include sensory details (think sight, smell sound, taste, touch,
feeling, thinking, distinctive characteristics of individuals including you).
When Time is Ticking
on a Downward Spiral
Recently,
a close friend and I were discussing an idea for gift-giving to folks who are elderly
or under hospice care. Her thought was to buy a box of stationery and envelopes
and suggest that the individual write a separate letter to each grown child and/or
grandchild. I love that thought! Who wouldn’t appreciate a personalized letter from a parent or grandparent that told
them how much and why they were treasured? Or why certain circumstances
existed? Or something they always wanted to say, but had never taken that step?
If you intend to
give this stationery gift to someone, consider these points:
1-Don’t
wait until they no longer have the capacity to recall their memories or to write
the letters.
2-If
they need assistance, encourage them to dictate the letters to someone who will
write for them.
3-In
searching for boxes of stationery to purchase, you may be surprised to discover
that because of the world of instant communication in which we now exist, you
may have to search extensively to find boxes of paper and matching envelopes
that would have, at one time, been readily available. Check your local office
supply stores, as they ordinarily carry these items.
4-If
more convenient and practical, utilize a small handheld recorder to allow them
to verbalize the letters they would write if they were able. Have the
recordings transcribed into letters.
Tips for Writing
Epistolary Memoirs or Special Legacy Letters:
1-Make
a list of the individuals to whom you would like to share your thoughts.
2-Tell
him/her what your relationship with them has meant to you. How has he/she
enhanced your life?
3-What
do you recall most about his/her personality, appearance, contribution to you
personally and to society in general?
4-Describe
special moments have you shared with him/her.
5-Once
you are no longer here, what might you regret not having told him/her?
6-What
words of wisdom would you like to share with future generations to whom your
letters may be passed down? For
instance, by what philosophies/standards/goals/beliefs/values have you lived
and operated? By what means has strength been imparted to you during difficult
times?
Inspire
them.
Give them something meaningful which they and the next generations can clasp
tightly to their hearts and benefit simply because you devoted a block of time
to disclose previously unrevealed valuable thoughts and feelings. Your legacy matters.
About
Mary Anne Benedetto:
Speaker, ghostwriter, blogger, Certified Lifewriting Instructor and
author of Eyelash, Never Say Perfect, 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing
and From Italy with Love & Limoncello, Coming mid-November, 2013: Write Your Pet's Life Story in 7 Easy Steps. Mary Anne Benedetto’s passions include
helping people preserve their life and pet stories, creating Christian fiction, visits
with friends and family, world travel and walking the spectacular South
Carolina beaches. Please visit her at www.awriterspresence.com, www.maryannebenedetto.blogspot.com, www.abookfeast4u.blogspot.com and www.4womenwholove2travel.blogspot.com
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