Abbott to present ‘The Joy of Life Story Writing’ at library

Linda Abbott will present “The Joy of Life Story Writing” on April 15 at 2 p.m. at the Sanibel Public Library, at 770 Dunlop Road.
“Our memories and stories are one of the most precious gifts we can share with our children and grandchildren,” she said. “But many people don’t know how to get started on writing their life stories, or are overwhelmed by the thought.”
Abbott will share tips, tools and resources for people to write their own life story, or capture and preserve the memories of loved ones. Participants also will learn about techniques, such as timelines and memory sparks to recall more of the past, and the many benefits of life story writing.
“Reminiscing is a joyful experience. It allows individuals to revisit the special moments in their lives. Sharing these memories connects us more deeply to our children and grandchildren,” she said. “That’s more important now than ever with grandparents and grandchildren often living hundreds of miles apart.”
Interest in family history is surging today, with people wanting to find out more about their ancestors and visiting sites like Ancestry.com.
“The one point I like to drive home is that someday we will be the people future generations are interested in and searching for, and they will cherish the memories and stories we leave behind,” Abbott said.
Participants will learn about ethical wills, also called legacy letters, which pass on values, wisdom and faith traditions.
She noted that life story writing requires a big shift in gears.
“It’s so easy to get caught up in the here and now – the daily flood of texts, tweets, Facebook posts, email – that we tend to lose sight of the fact. And let’s face it, no one ever wants to think about this – our moms and dads and grandmas and grandpas won’t be around forever,” Abbott said. “Memories fade, health problems emerge, things can change quickly. Know this, and move forward.”
There will be time for questions from attendees; registration is not required.