A Story a Day for a Year

“. . . therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.” (1 Ne. 1:1)

High on the top shelf of my closet, stored in cardboard boxes, lay my journals of times past. Occasionally, when I feel compelled to revisit pages or recall a slumbering moment in time, I pull open the boxes searching for the right year, page, and date. This may seem cumbersome and outdated in this technological age, especially since I often fail at my quest due to my dimming memory. Yet, the handwritten record of events from my life have great value to me and hopefully to my posterity.

Of course, writing out one’s thoughts in a book is not the only way to capture memories; and the whys for journaling are vast. Sometimes my thoughts toward journal writing swing from a form of bringing peace & healing, to a demanding duty. Yet, on either end of the spectrum, record keeping in its varied forms, is priceless. This I have learned from my ancestors, and in particular my Grandpa Anderson.

My grandfather, Orlando N. Anderson, who was born in 1897 and died in 1990, began his efforts to encapsulate history as child. He continued this practice until at least 88 years old. His way of record keeping was seen in many forms, yet, all in his handwriting; nothing typed.

Along with Orlando’s journals and ledgers, tubs of pictures and bags of letters written by him were saved through the years. He wrote two letters weekly to my parents for many years. These precious perspectives of history contain living memories of not only our family’s history, but world events.

For example, I recall seeing an original newspaper about the Titanic’s legendary sinking my Grandfather had saved through the years, then sent to my parents. Although, this tragedy happened many decades before my time, it brought out emotions just seeing this historic headliner which I still feel stronger than remember. During WWI, Orlando had the foresight as a young man in the throes of this tumultuous time, to capture his experiences engaging in battles. He sent letters home addressed to himself with the hope of returning to read them.

A Story a Day For a Year

On a visit to my grandparents home, my sister Cheri asked Grandpa if he would tell stories. Pleased to comply with any invitation of oral storytelling, Orlando grinned until Cheri pulled out a tape recorder. Not trusting this modern device, Orlando wouldn’t speak while it was on. So, Cheri feigned to turn the machine off. This is when Orlando began to elaborate on life events in his usual animated, unfettered language. Eventually, Cheri did play the recording back to Orlando. He was amazed to hear his voice! He even reprimanded his recorded self when he didn’t immediately recall a specific date – “July 9th, you dummy!” he blurted out.

On another visit, Cheri asked Grandpa to record stories. Being quite reluctant at first, afraid of stating any inaccuracies, Orlando hedged at the invitation.

Cheri explained it this way:

When I married and had my first few children, I still lived far away from Orlando. I wanted my children to know about what life was like when he was young. One time I asked him to tape . . . or to write some stories. He was overwhelmed by this request, afraid he would say something inaccurate. Finally, I explained, “It’s for my children. Write down some of the things that happened to you as a boy, some things I can tell my children.”

“Okay,” he answered, “I will write a story a day.”

And he did. For almost one year, he wrote one short story from his life every single day. Many times I received these stories in the mail–written in his own handwriting–over 300 in all.

The Lights Come On – Orlando N. Anderson (1897-1990) – Recorded October 30, 1982

Our home at 126 North Main was well supplied with light. We had a large coal oil lamp which stood in the center of the table in the dining room kitchen. It is so far back in my memory that I cannot remember how the bedrooms and other rooms were lighted. I couldn’t have been more than three years old because it seems so long ago. The year then must have been 1900.

The family were all gathered in the kitchen to see this wonderful event. It was early evening. We all looked up at the tiny globe when the time came for the electricity to be turned on in the city.

What did we see? A reddish yellow glow changed the wires of the small globe to their heated color.

Our coal oil lamp gave a very bright, white light. We waited for the lamp (electric) to increase its light; but it never did. Expressions of disappointment came from the family. You couldn’t even read by such a dim light. Amidst a spirit of criticism and disappointment, someone lighted our faithful coal oil lamp, and we went about the duties for the evening.

Little did we know that this tiny light we saw in the globe was the beginning of a great miracle brought to mankind.

Orlando’s 300 vignettes were later organized, typed up, and shared by Cheri to our family several years after he passed away. Our Grandfather’s passion of choosing to document all life events through journals, letters, and stories was quite remarkable.

On the other-hand, to find a handwritten letter or journal by my father, who was a professional writer, is a rarity. Even a personal recorded or typed account is a precious keepsake. He did not follow in the footsteps of his father Orlando . . . or did he? My father used a different avenue for recording memories and important events. Through columns, TV, radio, and books, he documented aspects of his life and world events lacking any fear of tape recorders or technology.

Variety in Record Keeping

With technology broadening our bases for chronicling and recounting a personal perspective of our lives, the varied methods of record keeping continues to grow. Most of us hold in our hands an incredible tool to document our lives. Cell phones have created the opportunity to continually record life events as they happen. Online databases and apps give place to capture, preserve, and share these moments with family, friends, communities or the world.

Whatever form you choose to journal, give thought to those who may treasure your tales and the highlights of your life by recording and preserving them. The journals and handwritten life stories from several ancestors which my family possess are held in great esteem and treasured among us. So, whether you feel your story may seem typical, mundane or unimportant, those who follow you may not.

“Preserve your memories, keep them well, what you forget you can never retell.” Louisa May Alcott

Shared Insights on Journaling

Video abstract – Journaling and Scrapbooking on FamilySearch

Keeping a Journal Your Way By Tara Walker

6 Journaling Benefits and How to Start Right Now – Healthline

Traditional

The Written “Paper & Pen” Journal ● Typed ● Letter Writing

Journals for Specific Things

General Life History, Gratitude, Medical, Meditation, Events, Mission-Callings, Scripture, Nutrition and Fitness, this list goes on

Audio and Video

Using Instagram, FB, Twitter, etc. as Journaling Tools ● Photo Captions ● FamilySearch Memories

I Used Instagram As A Gratitude Diary For A Week—Here’s How It Felt