On Thursday, February 13, 2025, I will present my memoir writing program, “Preserve Your Stories – Get Started on Your Memoirs,” as a special program for Pasadena Village attendees. For the past fifteen years that I have been writing memoirs, I have seen visible changes in the people who choose to embark on this journey; a healing takes place in those who invest the time to write their memoirs. This experience comes naturally as people put the pen to paper and begin to authentically revisit meaningful or traumatic experiences that they have encountered and the ways in which they have coped with them.
Typically, people start thinking about writing their memoirs when they hit their 60s or 70s – although sometimes, earlier. This is a time in life when many people begin to examine their life experiences and want to chronicle them for their children or grandchildren.
Just as often, people write their memoirs for themselves as a way of remembering the times in their life that they were happiest, the people whom they loved and shared meaningful experiences with, and as a way of maintaining on paper their memories, which sadly, will dissipate over time as they grow older.
As one begins to think about their life experiences, I’ve noticed several things that usually occur:
- Memories start bubbling to the surface that they have not thought about for many, many years.
- People’s names, who they had previously forgotten, suddenly pop into their heads – as if asking to be remembered.
- Feelings come up about these different experiences: sometimes joy, sometimes sorrow, but even in the sad times, a cleansing healing takes place.
- As the words appear on the pages and are reread, different perspectives start developing and a new way of looking at things takes place.
- There is a release that happens: a release of anger, fear, and grief, because these emotions are now documented on paper and the individual no longer needs to carry them around in their heart.
I have seen some amazing things happen when helping people channel and write their memoirs. It’s a beautiful experience that has lasting affects, not only for them but for their families and friends.
I consider it an honor to take people through this process because as a writer, I have the ability to help them write their memoirs by providing the support and guidance they need.
I hope, you too, get to experience the healing that memoir writing can provide as you open the doors to the past and take a walk down “Memory Lane.”