Why Should I Tell

My Life Story?

5 Good Reasons

to Get It Done NOW

By Beth Sanders, Founder & President,

Background.... When I sat down with my grandmother about ten years ago to ask her a few questions about her life, I could not have predicted that this hour would impact my life for years to come. Grandma Stitzinger’s stories covered everyday matters about her parents and grandparents, growing up, good work, marriage, raising a family, and faith in God. Just ordinary life stories spanning most of the 20th Century!

I walked away from the interview, happy that I had actually turned on an old tape recorder and asked questions that came to mind while grandma was still able to answer them. However, over the next few months and years, I pondered why her ordinary stories were incredibly powerful and extraordinary to me. When she described her grandmother to me, she was speaking of my great-great grandmother! (How many people are lucky enough to know anything about their great-grandparents? Why shouldn’t we?) I determined that what I gained from the interview was a new connection between the values of four generations of the wonderful women before me. I also saw history through grandma’s eyes.

After grandma passed away, I realized that if I hadn’t asked her those random, “off-the-cuff” questions, no one in our family would have had a permanent record—from her own words—of her life and times. I then realized that many people were like my grandma. They didn’t think they really had anything to say, and they probably were not going to tell their story if someone didn’t ask.

Did grandma have life and words of wisdom to share? Of course she did! I just had to initiate the process to uncover the treasure of her memories.

You or one of your loved ones may be asking the question, “Why should I tell my life story?” Here are five good reasons to get it done NOW.

1. Each day of life is truly a gift. I have had numerous people tell me through the years that the reason they aren’t going to tell their life story is because, “I’m not done living yet.” Well, life is unpredictable. It is important for us to seize the day to write at least a heartfelt letter—preferably, a more complete life story before it’s too late. This needs to be done whether you are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100+.

2. You do have something to say and you can say it.My father thought he had nothing to say. However, with just a few questions about his childhood and with my pen in hand to write down his answers, the “Life on the Farm” excerpt to the right was generated. I think it is interesting to read about my dad’s morning chores, his bed, and his breakfast. I think my children and grandchildren are going to appreciate it too.

Keep it mind that you don’t have to write like your old high school English teacher or Shakespeare to say what you want to say. Short, direct sentences are just fine. Remember the details from the events of your life. Recall what you saw, heard, smelled, tasted, or felt during that moment. Here is an excerpt from my life story that just recalls my memories in a straightforward way.

My dad, my brother, Ed, and I were going to Lake City (Pennsylvania) to do some sort of work. I don’t recall for sure where we were headed, but probably before we left the house, the conversation went something like this:

Dad: "Come on, Beth!”

Beth: “Where are we going?”

Dad: “Come on!”

This meant that I would be doing some kind of dirty, hard work (chopping down a tree, roofing a garage, baling hay, etc.). I put on my jeans and T-shirt and jumped in the blue F150 pickup. I hoped to be home for dinner (unlikely). So Ed, dad, and I were on our way to Lake City when dad spotted a special excursion train that was going back to Albion. Dad decided to try to outrun the train, and Ed, who was about 8 years old, was thrilled to be anywhere close to a train. With the windows wide open and my long hair whipping my face, I watched the speedometer go from 50 to 60 to 70 and then 80! As our speed rose, dad and Ed laughed harder and harder. For a minute, I started to worry that we might all die trying to beat that train. Then I thought, "O well, at least we’ll all die happy."

3. See the big picture and learn about you! You have accomplished many things during your time on earth. Do you realize what you have accomplished? Life review through a tool like helps you recognize the joys and challenges you have experienced at different stages of life. You will gain a new “big picture” perspective on where you’ve come from and where you are going. You might learn some new things about yourself that could affect the way you live the rest of your life. You will also have the opportunity to share history from your own perspective—definitely more interesting than a history book.

4. Your children and grandchildren need your life story to preserve their legacy.Children (especially grown children) will gain strength and wisdom from reading the life experiences and memories of their parents and grandparents. They don’t just want your life stories recorded; they need them to be recorded.

Within your story is the story of the men and women that shaped your life. Within your story are your memories of your parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Without your recollections of these important people, the next generations will never know them. That would be a shame.

5. Your life story will share your love. In the not-so-distant past, families may only have been separated by a few neighborhood blocks or acres. Today separation may be by states and countries. With a more transient society and constant bombardment from the media (TV seems to monopolize many family gatherings), you may feel that you just don’t have quality time to share with your loved ones anymore.

Recording memories is a lasting way to ensure future generations know what was truly important to you. Tell them that you love them—on paper so it will be there for them for years to come. Tell them your hopes for their future. Tell them what you feel is truly important about your family’s beliefs. Tell them what must endure. Help them remember—from your own words.

It's time to tell your story.

There's no time like the present and no better gift to the future.

2003-2005 LifeBio, Inc.