It should go without saying that it’s important to preserve our life stories, but that’s not always an instinctive move. Unless it’s an already established tradition, it may not occur to us. Yet there is so much to gain from recording our memories. It gives us a sense of perspective, and provides us with the chance to appreciate and learn from one another. It also allows us to address questions that otherwise may have been left unanswered, only later to be filled in with assumptions. In short, it lets us play an active role in the the creation of our history.

There are many ways to save your life stories—everything from filling out a do-it-yourself memoir book or creating a cookbook of family recipes to making a video recording or audio tape. Likewise, there are just as many ways to approach the project. You can chronicle your wedding story or the birth of a child, or you could focus on the small turning points in your life.

Whatever you choose to do, just don’t let it become a daunting task. Start out small; anything you produce will be appreciated. I’m also here to help, whether you need an extra push to get started or want someone else to take over the reins. As a personal historian, I can assist you in creating a hardbound book that beautifully captures your life stories.

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