Someday, the loved one you are caring for will die, probably before you do. If you choose to read a memorial of your loved one’s life at the funeral, having some highlights of you loved one’s life will be helpful. If you write your loved one’s life story, you will have these highlights available.
Throughout this endeavor, keep in mind Ecclesiastes 3:1–3 that reads,” For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2a time to be born, and a time to die…”
Interviewing your loved one for this information can be a fun, intimate experience for both of you. The chances are that your loved one will be flattered that you want to record your loved one’s life history. Also, reliving the portions of your lives that you shared together can be a strong bonding experience.
Those who keep a diary will have another source of information from which to draw. Even if neither of you keep a diary, you can think back to your earliest memories of your lives together and record your recollections.
Obviously, details of the portions of your lives spent together will be easier for the two of you if you both attempt to recall them together. If your loved one dies before sharing these memories, many of them could be lost forever.
You can recall events in your lives that were especially meaningful and joyous. How you felt, for example, on the day you were matrried. Your emotions at the birth of your children, or your parent’s children, if the life story is of your parent.
Since this project is a life story of your loved one, steer your questions mainly toward positive, joyous life events. You also can sometimes ask other family members of their recollections of these life events.
Showing your loved one and other family members early and later life pictures of family members might evoke many valuable insights for the life story of your loved one.
This can be a bonding experience not only for you and your loved one, but also for your entire family.
