Have a child in your home or one you are responsible for or assist in raising? Create a digital memory book for them. You can do this at any time in your child’s life (as a newborn, school age, heading off to college or the military, or as they have children of their own).
Create an e-mail account for them. (I suggest doing this with a service that is tried and true, dependable). I am not supporting one outlet over the other, but I prefer g-mail becuase I’m pretty sure Google will be around for a while.
Don’t give them the password for this account until you are ready to share with them the contents. The purpose of the e-mail is to provide them with bits of advice, stories about themselves or their heritage, and other funny things that happen throughout their lifetime. Keep this e-mail address to yourself or share it with your family and friends.
Anytime you experience a situation where words of wisdom have helped you, send an e-mail to this new account. Family recipes, photos, etc. are all great things to share. So many times we wait until we are older to ask our parents for stories of our childhood or of our heritage. There will come a day when we leave this world and leave our children behind, this is a great way to create a memory book of sorts for them that they can rely on for years to follow.
Have you personally lost a parent or close relative or friend and later wanted to give them a call to ask a question or are sure that if they were here they would know the solution to a situation? Take this “digital memory book” and use it to alleviate the pain of not being able to call years down the road.
I have lost my grandparents and a few other friends and relatives. I wish they were here now to share all of their wisdom and wit with me. Take advantage of your resources in today’s age and pass on some history wrapped up in love and good intentions. Your child will cherish it later in life.
SIDE NOTE: Share the password with them at a turning point in their life. When there are no words at the moment, but so many thoughts have come and gone. A child heading off to college, or preparing for their own child are perfect times.
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