BellaOnline Forums Family Senior Living Senior journals

Hope your new year is off to a great start. Keeping a journal is a satisfying, creative way to keep a history of what's going on in your life throughout 2009.

Here's an article about getting started with journaling:

Journal to Enrich Your Senior Life

Senior journals are an awesome idea. I know so many people that regret that they didn't find out more about a special someone while they were still here and having a journal to turn to could help find out more about that person, more about their lifestyle and the times surrounding them, and help with grieving after they've gone. It is a huge win-win situation in terms of therapy for everyone involved in my opinion.

So many times we forget the details of someones life after they are gone. Keeping a senior journal is an excellent idea. I am caregiver to my eighty-six-year-old father, and I know there are interesting tidbits I could keep for his grand- and great-grandchildren. Thanks for the reminder.

Edie, you are so right about forgetting the details of someone's life. My mother has been gone 17 years and there are so many thing I want to tell my daughter and granddaughters about her but I have forgotten so much too. My father is 80 and had dementia so his history is gone. (He did write down his experiences from WWII)

OK. Now I am determined to journal - if only a few facts from each day.

Thanks for all the ideas guys!

And Lynne, you are really going to enjoy keeping a journal. Be sure to give us an update when you get started.

My parents, who are in their 80's both wrote down their childhood memories and my dad also did one about his war years in WWII. I'm so glad I have those journals. I've heard their stories of growing up in the depression by my own kids will someday read what their grandparents went through.

I had given both of my grandmothers a little book to write in. Each day it had a question such as "did you have a nickname", "your first pet". One of my grammas died before she filled hers all the way out but I really cherish that little book. I had also asked both of them how they met my grampa (both of my grampas were dead at this time) and a bunch of other questions. Journaling is a great idea...

My daughter in law gave me a book for grandmothers..sounds like the same one...I have filled some of it in; but not all of it...thanks for sharing this..I will make it a point to get mine out..and start writing for my grandkids.
Sundancer
www.msgembroidery.com

Sundancer, your grandchildren will really appreciate your efforts! I have a lot of letters my one grandmother wrote and they contain stories about my dad when he was young. I really cherish them.

My grandfather used to be a great storyteller and I wish he's written them down. My own dad carried on the tradition tho and I love hearing old family stories.

My great grandmother kept a journal and I love reading it, learning more about what her life was like.