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8:44:00 PM MST
Memory Envelopes
Sometimes you just need to reboot and start over.
Bowing to the AOL Gods.........please be kind this time.............
I thought about a project I've been doing for sometime and the few people I've told in my "reality" scope of life have all thought it was a wonderful idea. I know it's inspired many to start their own version of this, so I thought I might share it with the other Mothers that are out there whom might run across my journal.
I tend to think that if you are a journal writer, there is always an air of nostalgia hanging over our souls, a thought to be remembered, an idea, a conversation, that we just aren't willing to forget. Yet, as a young Mother I found myself forgetting some of the things, details, that seemed so important at the time. Little notes written to my daughters, pictures taken, art work, all the way up to report cards and such. If you are anything like me, I found myself with boxes full of sentimental value. Then I started thinking of what I could do to organize all this "stuff." Including moments, conversations etc.......
This is when I started my envelopes of memories. You see, I'm awful at unified, organized thoughts. (Hence the appeal of this online journal stuff) I wish I could have just kept simple time lined journals for both my girls, but found this to be, well, simply not something I kept up with!
Here are some of the things that go into my memory envelopes <ideas>
1) Always get double prints of pics....one set me, one set to be put into envelopes for the girls
2) I've had the girls for years now write letters to the future self <I never read these, privacy is theirs> But I like to think someday when they read them they will get a huge kick out of their "younger self"
3) All those little scraps of paper, notes, interesting doodles, etc.......all in an envelope, sometimes with a note from me explaining them, sometimes no explaining needed.
4) Anytime I hear one of those "out of the mouth of babes comments" from one of my girls I write it down and into a memory envelope it goes
5) Any odd and end I think would give them smiles someday, i.e. 2 dollar bill, old coin, feather, pressed flower, some of their broken jewelry, or mine
6) School pics and report cards.......
7) Every birthday I write them a letter, telling them what I think of who they are becoming, how much I love them etc...........
8) Changes in our lives, things they may not understand now, but someday might want a better explanation, these letters from me
9) Let the mind wander, you never know what your child might appreciate in the future
I think the most important part of these memory envelopes are details. The tiny little details you wish yourself, you could remember about your childhood. Or creating a special little treasure chest of idea's, memories, keepsakes, trinkets, anything your hearts desire!
At press time I have literately HUNDREDS of these letters. I had to buy a small trunk about a year ago to fit them all in. But I envision someday, and I haven't decided when, I will present each of them a trunk, with hundreds of memories they will have long forgotten about. I can only imagine how utterly captivated and thrilled I would have been if I had been given such a gift as this.
It's such an inexpensive easy way to capture memories. It hardly takes any time to do and I'm hoping it will be one of my daughters most treasured gift from me someday.
As always........just a thought and today an idea..........
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What a great idea.
I have a small box of stuff that is from when she was small. I have been really unorganzied though, over the years. And I am even worse with my second child! poor little guy.
But, it's never too late! -
Great ideas. My wife uses some similar methods. I followed a link in another Journal to this one. Very nicely done and very well written.
Blessings to you and yours,
Mark
http://journals.aol.com/mgraves6033/HumorousVerse/ -
This is such a great idea. I hope you don't mind but I linked to this entry in my journal...if I didn't I might not remember it and it is such a great idea. Thanks so much! Happy Holidays and God Bless you and yours! ~Amy
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I could only wish my Mother could have done that for me, I have so many questions about who I was as a child and no answers. Most people probably could care less but people like you and me appreciate the value. Your daughters will love it and cherish their "trunks" forever.
12/22/04 7:43 PM
I often wrote letters to my future self and I even wrote them to my future husband and children. I love those letters! mY HUSBAND WAS THRILLED WITH THEM AFTER WE GOT MARRIED. I cant wait to share them with Wyatt when he gets olser. Those are the types of things that will be treasured for generations to come.
Kara :) http://journals.aol.com/hello