There have been two deaths in my family this month and, as well as making me almost forget to write something for you, it got me thinking.

 

One of the people to have passed was my mother’s aunt. I was fortunate enough to have visited her when I was in Melbourne in January, and after I learned of her passing, it made me want to sit down and write the stories she told me then (from the notes I made), as well as others that she somehow is associated with, including the date scones she’d made for me as a child.

 

The other death also made me think of a person’s stories, and together, they reminded me of a book I bought earlier this year (I had hoped to give this person a copy). The book is “Telling tiny stories” by Michelle Dicinoski, a Brisbane writer (though she has now moved overseas). The book is full of prompts to get you started in writing about events in your life, and so is perfect for either the budding family historian or as a gift for members of their family that they’d like to know more about.

 

Some examples of the prompts:

 

“I thought I would never get over……….but I did.”

 

“I wish I’d never…”

 

“I first felt really grown up when…”

 

There are prompts for you to record stories from your childhood, things you think about now, as well as hopes for the future. There are also opportunities to insert special recipes, and to write whatever else might come to mind. What a wonderful way to ask family members to record their stories for you!

You can find out all about it here, including that you can purchase a copy (or copies) directly from the author, and view sample pages.