“A new year is like a blank book, it has 12 chapters and 365 pages, and you are the author. My wish for you is that this year you write the most beautiful story possible for yourself.”
I received this text from a daughter on New Year’s Eve and decided to share it with readers all across the country. Though we do not always have control of the total plot—what is dealt to us--our story is written by how we handle what we are given and those who walk with us on the journey.
On this New Year’s Day, I implore you to tell your stories and encourage loved ones to tell you theirs! Please don’t say, “I can’t write,” or “I don’t have anything interesting to tell.” Every one of us has inspiring, scary, funny, unbelievable, to-be-treasured times in our lives that need to be shared.
Struggles? Have you dealt with cancer or some other dreaded disease? Are you a survivor? Was your heart torn apart from the loss of someone you loved more than life? Tell about the difficult times. You might change a life! You never know when your story might help others overcome obstacles in their lives. You might impel them to face their struggles and keep going.
The younger generations need to know that life was different when their parents and grandparents grew up. Ok, maybe we didn’t walk ten miles to school every day, uphill both ways. But we didn’t have cell phones. Some didn’t have television or even electricity. Imagine that! Without modern-day conveniences, people had to work harder in harsher conditions. On the farm, tractor cabs were not heated or air-conditioned. Before that, there were not tractor cabs! Before that, there were no tractors! A bucket of water and measure of corn and oats fueled Ol’ Dan and Toby to pull the single blade plow ten more rounds.
Likely, many cannot even imagine learning to drive with a manual transmission! I think every youngster should experience the frustration of “killing the engine” (lurch, lurch, silence, bad word…) after letting up the clutch too fast.
Tell of the happy times, the traditions, the people or pets, whether family, friends or total strangers who impacted a moment, hour or months of your life. Tell the funny parts, for laughter joins generations. Laughter and memories help us through the ups and downs of life.
Tell of your birth, your parents and siblings. Tell of love and loss. Tell about the things you ate and the toys you played with.
When we die, our unique part of history is lost—unless we tell our stories. Write them down if you can. Record them or ask someone else to preserve them in some way. But no matter what, tell them. Our tales are a legacy. They leave a trail, a gift to future generations.
I remember our parents voicing how fortunate they were compared to the way their folks had lived. My generation probably feels the same. (“Kids have it easy these days!”)
In 70 years will that generation also feel that they had it tougher than the youngsters of their day? Only time will tell—well, time AND our stories!
Want to Read More?
Get all of Kruempel’s books! Putting On the Big Boots, and Once Upon a Midwest Sunset, compilations of the stories from the author’s columns, along with her five other books, are available on Amazon. Signed copies can also be purchased at the Harrison County Welcome Center AND the Loess Hills Visitor Center & Gift Shop in Moorhead. All make excellent gifts! Contact her at deannkruempelauthor@gmail.com.
