Write It Down!

Back at it again....trying to find the right motivation to stay on the task...writing family history. Hmmm...why do I think it's important. Isn't it important to be remembered? to have great memories of people or places and want everyone to know and remember? It's part of history and that's so important we teach it in schools...presumably so we don't repeat the mistakes or so we can capitalize on the successes. We can do the same whether it's making your mother or grandmother's cookie just the way they did or making them better! I've always treasured the way people used to do things. Maybe because it was a simpler time or a remarkable feat; it was memorable....worth remembering. Now how will everyone remember if we don't Write It Down? That's the title of my column in the Hartland Historical Society newsletter, but even that has trouble motivating people or maybe they secretly wrote everything down and chose not to share it with me. I like that explanation. It's summer in Maine. That means sunshine, heat, rain, swimming, barbecues, family visits, family reunions or just sitting and reflecting on the season or the year. How are you spending your summer? Certainly you've done something worth repeating, whether it's to do it over again with someone else or tell someone what you've done or why. Was there something in your childhood, your early adulthood, early marriage or parenthood that comes to mind with the beginning of summer? Can you do it again? would you want your children or your grandchildren to experience it? Write It Down! or else how will they ever know what was important to you! Summer family gatherings are usually memorable. Maybe it's the location or the people who were able to join you, maybe the music, the games, the food. What comes to mind? This weekend "lobster feeds" of the family kind came to my mind. Our family traditionally attended the Lobster Festival in Rockland, Maine...always went to the parade, often joining family there or seeing family participating in the parade. BUT we never went to the festival grounds for lobster. We always returned home for home-cooked lobster on the front or back lawn. And usually it was my father doing the cooking. He didn't cook much, but lobster was a specialty. Everyone knew how to crack a lobster and get the sweet meat out to dredge in melted butter! Well, if you didn't by some rare chance, there were plenty of people to do it for you or provide a lesson. It was actually fun to share this Maine tradition with new lobster lovers! As a child, it was unimaginable there were people in the world who didn't know how to pick out a lobster! It's like riding a bike once you know how, you always Know! But to grow to adulthood and not know...what deprived people! But I suppose if you are the type who doesn't like lobster ( I know they exist, sadly) you can be forgiven. But not forgiven for forgetting you even tried the experience or letting others know about your experience or preferences. Everyone has something to tell...someone has to Write It Down!...eventually...