As senior citizens (wow, do I hate to
admit that!) we can easily become set in our stubborn ways, and flexibility can
be challenging for us. I don’t mean being able to slowly and gracefully bend
down and touch your toes—but more like adaptability. In a life of ever-changing
circumstances, we need to find new ways to adapt and conquer!
The Mini-Memoir© was born from my desire
to accomplish a potentially difficult task. I was scheduled to speak at a
senior center, and the director advised me in advance that several of their
seniors were in various stages of dementia and might not even absorb the
message that I would be hoping to convey. How could I adapt?
I thought about the sadness of the
situation and pondered how I might be able to develop a one page fill-in-the-blank
sheet that could be beneficial to anyone for generating some memories. Voila! With the Mini-Memoir© copies in hand, I was
able to march confidently into the senior center and explain the importance of preserving our stories for
future generations and assist those who needed help in completing the forms.
Compiling all finished sheets into a file on my computer, I produced a booklet
that each senior could take home and show their family members. Not only were
they able to share some of their thoughts about their own lives with loved ones,
but an added bonus was that now the seniors knew more about each other and
discovered a variety of common experiences. It was a win/win!
The Mini-Memoir© is my gift to
individuals and families to be able to learn more about each other. While it
doesn’t take the place of a full blown memoir project, it is a beginning and
provides a glimpse into a loved one’s life. It facilitates pausing to recall
some favorite aspects of our journeys, allows
opportunity to share some words of wisdom with future generations and
gives family members a basis for discussion. It could be beneficial for holiday
gatherings, family reunions, clubs or church groups, assisted living residences,
hospice facilities—actually, the possibilities are endless!
Copies are available for printing
without charge as a full page sheet from my Web site, www.awriterspresence.com. I hope
that you’ll share it, use it to its fullest potential, and please let me know
if it produces a desired result for you. I love to hear stories of how this
innovative tool works to bring families or groups closer together!
MINI-MEMOIR
Location where you spent your childhood
Location where you have lived
the longest
Favorite city and state where you have lived
Favorite place that you have
ever visited
Favorite song
Favorite book
Favorite movie
Favorite television show
Favorite sport that you have ever played
Favorite sport that you have liked to watch
Favorite activity from the past
Favorite activity now
Favorite memory
Happiest
moment from the past
What gives you the greatest joy today?
What was your funniest experience?
Describe your most spiritual moment?
What words of wisdom would you like to share with future
generations?
Mary Anne Benedetto, Certified Lifewriting
Instructor, A Writer’s Presence, LLC www.awriterspresence.com
Writing Blog: www.maryannebenedetto.blogspot.com
E-mail: mbenedetto@sccoast.net
(843) 215-4676 or (518) 441-8107 Helping
People Write the Times of Their Lives
Mary Anne Benedetto, Author of Eyelash,
Never Say Perfect, 7 Easy
Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time!, From Italy with Love & Limoncello, and
Write Your Pet’s Life Story in 7 Easy
Steps!
See you again very soon. Keep writing and capturing those family stories!!
Mary Anne
