Not sure why. Just feel this should be shared.

Following my By-pass surgery March 1, 2011 I had about a month of recuperation before returning to work. During that time I was reminded that there were many things that I had experienced in my life that I had not shared with family members as we grew up together. Not sure if I thought they were not important enough to record in a journal, or not significant to forming who I had become over the years; or if there was some other reason that led me to just keep them in the vault of my mind without concerning myself with recording them in any fashion.

Following the surgery in 2011 I tried to get into the habit of sending more frequent e-mails to my children and their spouses filling them in on the happenings at home and sharing an occasional tale from my younger years. One day toward the end of March 2011 I decided to indulge in a stop at the local Taco Bell franchise for lunch. After ordering I noticed a friend sitting alone at a table and walked over to greet him. He invited me to join him, so I did. We talked about my recent surgery and about some of the goings on in his (and his family) life - just enjoying a few minutes together as friends with many common interests.

One of the things I shared with him was the thought process behind the e-mails I had recently started to send frequently to my family. He said something that I will not soon forget with regard to those missives. He said "I hope they are saving those e-mailed stories, there may come a day when that is the only record they have of your life." He then went on to tell me this experience. (I'm paraphrasing now because there is to much) When he was 16 years old he was given an assignment to interview an older individual to learn about some of the things that had changed in the world in their lifetime. At about the same time of this assignment his Mother was diagnosed with cancer - so he asked his teacher if it would be okay for him to interview her instead of someone older. The teacher agreed. He thoughtfully prepared his questions and interviewed her using a cassette tape to record the interview so he would not miss anything as he wrote his report.

His Mom died within two years of that event and now the recording made as he interviewed her is the only record he has of her life and voice. He reiterated to me what a great idea it was for me to share those experiences with my family and expressed a desire to do something similar for his family.

Jim Rohn shared this quote often;

"Journal writing is one of the greatest indications that you're a serious student. 
Taking pictures, that is pretty easy. 
Buying a book at a book store, that's pretty easy. 
It is a little more challenging to be a student of your own life, your own future, your own destiny. 
Take the time to keep notes and to keep a journal. You'll be so glad you did. 
What a treasure to leave behind when you go. 
What a treasure to enjoy today!"

I hope there is value here for any who might read these words. I am not an expert in living a better life, but do know that we often touch others by our words and actions. Even small things might make a difference to someone. 

Thanks for checking in. More to come soon.