Preserving Memories Through Words

To continue my thoughts on ways to preserve your kids' memories in addition to professional pictures, I want to share about a wonderful woman who coaches moms in their writing and journaling. I first posted this article to another blog last fall, and want to share it again on my photo blog.

The grow up so fast. As a parent of two young girls, that is the phrase that I hear most from family, friends and even strangers. We mothers may perform minor miracles – sew a hole in a beanie baby, play Tooth Fairy, and have dinner on time every night for a week – but there is nothing we moms can do to stop time.

We can, however, record moments in our kids’ lives to help us remember their younger years. One method – writing – sounds simple but is actually hard for many moms to do. Maureen Ryan Griffin, a writing teacher and coach based in Charlotte, North Carolina, leads monthly sessions called “Motherwords” for mothers and grandmothers that want to preserve memories about their kids and families in the form of words.

“Motherwords is about learning how to write to, for and about your family quickly, easily and from the heart,” says Maureen. “We practice techniques that will enhance your appreciation of the special gifts of motherhood, nurture your own creativity, and capture your priceless moments on paper to treasure always.”

Her class has some fans. One participant loves the class because it has provides time each month to write memories of her kids, and as a result, she watches her children more closely for moments she'll want to remember. Another mother likes the class for the community of mothers that share their memories and inspire her own.

Maureen came up with the idea for Motherwords after reading a newspaper article about a preschool teacher that carried a notebook with her and jotted down words uttered by her little students. She gave the words to each child’s parents at the end of each school year, and her efforts earn her a teaching award.

Maureen follows her own advice. Upon her daughter’s college graduation last spring, she gave her daughter a bound book of writings and pictures entitled 21 Years of Bliss (her daughter's nickname) that covered each phase of her life. Her daughter was thrilled—literally to tears.

In addition to teaching her writing courses for moms, Maureen is writing a book about the subject, due out in time for Mother’s Day 2010. This sample of the book’s introduction gives a gentle call to all mothers to write and preserve memories:

* Experience for yourself the fulfillment of writing for and about your children… whether or not you think you can write. (Or even like to write.)

* Whether you write in sentences or fragments, poetry or prose, whether or not you can spell or know where the commas go, write.

* Whether you write in a beautiful leather book with your child’s name inscribed on the cover, on scraps of leftover napkin, or on your computer, write.

* Whether you write several times a day, once a week, once a year on your child’s birthday, or once every blue moon when the mood strikes you, write.

* Your stories are your legacy. Put them in writing. Share them. You (and your loved ones) will be glad that you did.

For more information about Maureen and Motherwords, go to http://www.maureenryangriffin.com