Sweet Sixteen

Posted on July 5, 2006 by moonbridgebooks

We had a nice family gathering over the July 4th holiday. My stepmom chose that time to honor the four girls in our family who turn sixteen this year. She asked all the adults to write a memory of their teen years and any thoughts they’d like to offer these young people. She took the writings, added photos, and created beautiful scrapbooks for the girls.

Contrary to what we were afraid of, the girls really appreciated the books. Sometimes we think teens are not interested in what their parents and grandparents have to say, but you never know. The teen years are notoriously difficult, and it can help for youngsters to see that their parents really do know a little about what they are dealing with. Times change, but some things don’t change that much! It can also be really helpful to hear advice from other adults in the family (anyone besides a parent), and to know that they also love and support them. Yes, it helps to have a village to raise a child.

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
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Remembering the Everyday Stuff

Posted on June 22, 2006 by moonbridgebooks

I gave an author presentation last month to a very receptive audience. By the end of my talk, many people were inspired to go home and either write their own memoirs, ask their parents about their lives, or to share their own stories with their young children. I call that a successful event!

One important point I made about recording memories, is that few memories can be considered insignificant. People think their lives are so ordinary, but years later – a generation or two later – the ordinary becomes historic. My own kids find common ground in some of my childhood stories, but are amazed at other details… like, “Gosh, Mom, what did you do without Nintendo?” or, “How could you live without Nickelodeon?” Imagine how interesting simple stories of grandparents’ lives are to children of the “modern world.” My mother-in-law remembers going to school by horse and cart!

July 4th is coming up – another opportunity for family get-togethers and story-telling. Don’t be afraid to ramble on about everyday life – house, town, school, chores, food, play. Did you get in trouble, what was your favorite game? Remember to use sensory details of sight, sound, feel, and feelings. Reflect upon how you felt, what things meant to you, what you found important and valuable in your life, lessons learned. Allow others to know who you were and how you lived. You really are interesting.

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
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Father’s Day

Posted on June 18, 2006 by moonbridgebooks

This morning our pastor Sue mentioned three famous fathers: Father Abraham, Atticus Finch, and Bill Cosby. All had/have the faith and the guts to stand up for what they believed in. In that great book, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch says, “Before I can live with other folks, I’ve got to be able to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”

Many of our fathers taught us through words or action about how to be a strong person with a good moral foundation. My own father helped teach his daughters about good work ethics. We both tend to be perfectionists who are able to look beyond what we know to do and find other things that need to be done. “Trouble-shooting” is something I am quite good at. Daddy is also known for his gentleness and patience, yet he always let his little girls know limits. He held us to a high standard of behavior, leading with firmness if necessary… but usually all it took was “the voice” and we were skedaddling to do what we were told.

When I was a teen, I was stunned to learn that my own father was not a perfect human being. Fathers, like mothers, can only do the best they are able. Unfortunately, for various reasons some are not able to do much and the children suffer. They are human beings with human weaknesses. Sometimes we have to try to be understanding and forgiving. Fortunately, my father was always great dad to his girls. We love him so much.

Hopefully your father has given you good memories. This day I hope you have a reason to honor your father, or a father-figure in your life. One year I wrote a letter to my dad telling him all that I loved and appreciated about him. My sister wrote him a beautiful poem. He knows he is loved – now he has it in writing! I hope you let your own father know how loved he is.

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
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