Creating Your Own Story

If you want to share an important personal story or life lesson with a young person you care about (and that person has not asked to interview you), consider writing out your story and giving or sending it as a letter.

Make your story a gift to honor an important birthday or transition in that person’s life. (If he or she is too young to understand your story now, ask the parent to present it at a future birthday.)

Your story and the life lessons it contains may be one of the most valuable gifts that young person ever receives.

TIPS:

If you have trouble with writing, ask a friend or family member to help you.
Begin and end by expressing your love, caring and appreciation for the person you are writing.
Find ways to relate your story to issues she may face in her own life.
If you made mistakes, admit them. Young people long for honesty from adults.
Fill in some details of sights, sounds, smells and tastes to make your story come alive.
Share the value(s) that came into the world as a result of your story and why those values are important to you.
If possible, add photos of yourself as a child and young adult so your reader can see you when you were closer to his age. (Be sure to keep copies of everything for yourself and other loved ones.)
Have fun with it! Remembering and writing down your story is a gift to you as well.