Me and Lou

When I was 13 and looked like this:

I met an awesome lady who looked like this:

But as a 13 year old, I didn't know she was an awesome lady. I knew she was a quirky, interesting English teacher.
Nearly 30 years later, I thought it was time to start on my personal history. Why wait? By the time I'm "that age," I will have most likely forgotten it all, and I'm sure at "that age," I won't be technically savvy enough to record it the way they will do it then. I was thrilled to hear a monthly writing class was starting in my neighborhood on the first Tuesday of the month, by this quirky, interesting English teacher, Mrs. Mary Lou Bean. I gathered up my notebook, pencil, and water bottle, and began a journey into writing, and writing my past. Mrs. Bean and I agree that writing your own history isn't particularly effective to the reader when it is straight facts. Such as this:
name: Jane Doe
born: July 13, 1961
birthplace: Meridian, Idaho, USA
Rather, the reader will enjoy small snippets of your life in various forms. Sometimes, Mrs. Bean prompts us with prose; sometimes with narratives. After working with her for the last year, I have a good start on my family history! I challenge you, dear reader, to start today! Don't wait until you are dying, or nearly dead. Start with something small... perhaps a memory of your first day of fourth grade? or maybe a favorite piece of furniture you liked at your grandma's house when you were small? Posts to come will feature such ideas. Pick up your pencil or open a document, friend. Let's get started. We're in for some fun.