Sharing Your Life Story with the Grands

For years I’ve attempted to write my life story, a short biography as a history for my children and grandchildren. Ten years ago, I completed several pages but the pages just sat in my computer. In support of the book Faithful Grandparenting: Practical Ideas for Connecting the Generations, I wrote a blog post on my blended family. The positive response to the post and the urging of my kids to journal about my life became the motivation to complete my life’s history.

I have now expanded the original pages. It’s a delightful accomplishment! My biography is not long, 7,000 words on 17 pages with  a dozen or so pictures. I captured the key elements and recollections of my early life, with my parents, brother and sister. I included where I lived, where I went to school, what I accomplished, and other factual information.  My book style, in contrast to another popular styles today is what I call, “Story Worth” in traditional chapters. I answered an assortment of questions, prompting me to answer many of my life’s experiences. The general outline is as follows:

1.  A general overview of my life.

2.  The growing up years, includes cities and towns that I lived in.

3.  The summers at Port Light Lodge in Beulah, Michigan including life skills I learned!

4.  My experiences as an athlete.

5.  My experiences as a coach.

6.  My contribution as God’s servant and charity work.

7.  My career.

8.  My life with my wife Diane.

9.  I included the blog post, Blending Our Family, 45 Years Later.

I’ve shared it with a few close friends. However, I have yet to distribute it to our four kids, twelve grandkids, and two great grandchildren. My plan is to present it to the family at Thanksgiving. I consider this the most appropriate time as I have been blessed by each of them, my two biological sons, Greg and Lee, and two stepsons, Derek and Grant. I’m pleased that each of our kids and grandkids will have a better perspective as to who Diane and I am and the importance we have placed on being a Christ-centered family. I am also looking forward to the grandkids seeing Diane and myself as someone other than an older couple who’s no longer very active, or let’s say spry!

Most importantly, my story allows me to tell my family what I have accomplished in life, what my family has meant to me, and how Christ has been the center of my life! The best part of this whole exercise has been the storytelling. I’ve written my life story in a way that is not boastful, but shows that I am proud of my accomplishments, for the man I was earlier in life and the man I’ve become today. I truly want each of our kids and grandkids to know the story of their father and grandfather. Praise the Lord!