JanBeek

If you are reading this, you are likely to be a blogger. But do you also keep a journal? I do. In fact, I keep several simultaneously. One is a “Thankfulness Journal” in which I record daily something (or someone) for which (or for whom) I am most appreciative. Another is a daily scriptural reflection. I am dedicating that one – and directing it – to my oldest grandson, Mike. I find it helps to write my journals TO someone rather than just writing for the sake of getting the ideas down for some anonymous someone in the future. The third of my journals is called, “To the Best of My Recollection.” It is a 365 page spiral bound book with a question at the top of each of its 4″ x 6″ pages. The questions prompt me to recall specific events, people, and places from my childhood (or from my adult past – if a childhood memory doesn’t fit the question). I found the book at a shop close to home – and decided that now, before my memory fades to oblivion, I should take a page a day and do this. Since I didn’t start it January 1st and I’d like to finish it by Christmas, I am trying to average two or more pages per day. That’s quite do-able! I am dedicating the book to my niece. Her mom (my sis) does not fancy herself to be a “writer” and it is unlikely she will take time to record her memories in this fashion. So, I am doing it for her – – –  knowing my niece will find the stories interesting  – someday – when I am long gone and my absence might make my experiences more poignant. The questions, created by Kathleen Lashier and published by Linkages in Des Moines, IA, are serious at times, whimsical sometimes, and always thought-provoking. Starting with my birth and leading on through my youth, this memory journal is causing stories to come out of the cobwebs and be recorded for future generations. Check out some of the various journal options at www.mymemoryjournals.com

To give you a sample, the question and my answer today was: “Did you ever go on a camp out? Tell about it.”

The camp out that comes to mind the most was not in my youth. It was when my children were about three and five years old. We were hiking up from Bridal Veil Campgrounds in Yosemite to Ostrander Lake. It rained its brains out! We had to stay in our tent. But Ty (our 5 year old) talked his dad into going fishing with him. They caught several small brook trout that we fried the next morning. DeAna puked on her dad’s head as we were hiking back out the next day. He was carrying her on his shoulders because she said she didn’t feel very well – and couldn’t walk anymore. Bob just wiped it off with his hand and kept on walking. That may explain why Ty and I were walking a ways back from them! Out from the thick undergrowth and evergreens at the side of the path emerged two nude hikers. They turned and headed toward Ty and me! Keenly aware of my young son behind me, I tried to keep my eyes on the bland, smurky smile of the lead hiker. After they climbed sufficiently up the trail to be out of earshot, Ty mumbled, “Boy! it’s a good thing they had on tennis shoes!”

Ah, memories!