Famous people write memoirs or hire a ghostwriter. Writing one can be an enlightening experience and one that fills your heart with gratitude. We were required to write an autobiography when we entered the convent. Later it was suggested that we write another one, which I haven’t done.
Maybe in heaven we will be able to watch videos of our earthly life. Right now I invite you to scan your years and pinpoint highlights. This could turn into a memoir if you write them down. Otherwise, they are good grist for reflection and prayer. You might detect the hand of God directing events. You may be amazed when you consider the blessings you’ve had.
What to Consider
Here are a few topics and the answers I would give. You can think of many more questions to answer.
- What was your childhood like? Your family? Relatives?
(I remember spending weekends at our “farm” in Hartsgrove, Ohio, where we picked blackberries and caught tadpoles.)
2. What memories of school stand out for you?
(When I couldn’t answer a question, my fifth-grade public school teacher said, “Glavich, you don’t’ know beans from butter with the bag wide open.” My sixth-grade public school teacher came to my investment. My eighth-grade teacher encouraged me to write during the summer.)
3. Who were your friends?
(Jeanie down the street. My mom had me transferred to her kindergarten class, hoping that would stop my crying.)
4. Who were your heroes?
(I liked Elvis Presley and the Indians player Rocky Colavito. Later, St. Francis of Assisi.)
5. What was your favorite pastime?
(I enjoyed playing the piano.)
6. What were your hobbies?
(I collected stamps and pennies.)
7. When were you asked to do something difficult?
(I was sent to get a master’s in math.)
8. Who influenced your life after meeting only once?
(In 2004 in Hawaii I met a Japanese man and his wife who lived in California. Ever since then he has emailed me seven cartoons every day. I choose one to post on Facebook. This has become my “ministry of joy.”)
9. What operations have you had?
(A herniated disk in my neck was fixed with a titanium plate and a piece of my hip.)
10. What vacations did you go on?
(I went to the Grand Canyon with my sister.)
11. What jobs have you had?
(I was diocesan co-director of vocations for two years.)
12. What is your favorite book?
(The Bible of course.)
13. What is your favorite movie?
(Gone with the Wind)
14. What birthday stands out for you?
(When my sister and niece threw me a party for me here in the Village)
You can add more questions like “What was an embarrassing situation” and “What funny thing happened to you.”
A Few Tips
• You might pray the Rosary using an event from your life for each decade.
• Make a recording of the story of your life.
• For the Gathering Space in our renovated chapel, each Sister was invited to design a tile to represent her. You might make a similar tile or piece of art. My tile had a chi-rho for Christ the King, a Bible, a stone from the Holy Land, and a dove for the Holy Spirit, who inspires all my writing.
• Tell younger people in your family about your past.
• Write a story about an episode in your life and submit it for publication.
• Put together a booklet called Who Am I?
• Which tip here appeals to you most? Have you already done any of them?
Here is a touching video I hope you will enjoy while thinking of your loved ones . . .
2 Responses
These are some interesting questions. One of my granddaughters wrote my story for an assignment in school. I treasure that. I wish I had done that for my mom. Every so often something comes up that my children didn’t know about my past. For my birthday this year, my children are taking me back to the small town I grew up in for an overnight. Should be interesting; I have not been back there for quite awhile. They used to spend two weeks there in the summer for a number of years.
What a lovely family you have, Rita! I wished I had asked my mom and dad more about their past lives. Too late now!