In 2003, I was at the peak of my scrapbooking phase. I was at home with two children under five, and I loved using the many photographs of my kiddos to create a record of their childhood. I have long since retired the craft scissors and card stock, but my writing ventures and this blog serve the same purpose.
Remember. Form those moments into a story that will live on after the memories have faded. Create a record that could potentially survive for many generations.
One hundred years from now, my great, great, great, great, great-grandchildren will have no personal connection to me. One thousand years from now, my descendants may have three ears and the ability to come back in time and visit me.
But for those children’s children in the next century, I leave a written record. I made a scrapbook entitled Who I Am in 2003, so that my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren can have a personal glimpse into my life. I filled so many other scrapbooks with memories, but so few had revealed anything about the woman who created them.
I nostalgically flip through the pages now, and I’m struck by how much is still the same, twelve years later. I look younger in the photos, but who I am is the same.
I documented the little things I love, most of which I still love.
the sound of m&m’s being poured into a bowl
the movie Grease
finding bargains
holding hands
reading the Sunday paper
I listed the things that bug me – all of which still do.
running late
wet socks
interrupting
petty gossip
I dedicated an entire page to my bed. It is aptly titled, “Aahh…BED!”, and I wrote “How sad is it that my favorite spot is my bed?” It still is my favorite spot, and I no longer think that’s sad.
I look exactly like this woman when I’m sleeping, except for the makeup, the lingerie, the face, and the body.
I included a page called “Betcha Didn’t Know,” which seems pretty boring now that I am a blogger who over shares on a regular basis.
I pick up pennies that are heads up
clown dolls freak me out
I have a high frequency hearing loss in one ear
There are more pages, but I think the little things paint the most interesting picture of a person. These are the things I would want my grandchildren to know about me. They may seem mundane or quirky, but isn’t that what we all are?
I can’t sing well, I can barely draw stick figures, and I am not a chef. But I can make people laugh, and I consider that one of my greatest talents.
I am equally comfortable spending time alone or with a group of people. When I’m feeling down, though, I would rather be with friends or family. Being with people lifts my spirits.
I will strike up a conversation with anyone – the woman in front of me in line, the receptionist at the doctor’s office, the secretary in the school’s front office.
l would eat breakfast food for dinner every night if I could.
A book is my very favorite inanimate object. I would even choose one over chocolate.
I’m a rule follower, and I never cheat at games. I will not play with you if you cheat, although that is due more to my competitive nature than to any sense of morality.
My body favors strength over flexibility. I have never been able to do a split or a backbend, but I rock push-ups and squats.
I hate massages, because my back is extremely ticklish. However, I would never refuse a facial.
I cannot roll my r’s, but I can curl my tongue.
I am a mom, wife, friend, daughter, sister, list maker, thinker, and doer.
And when my three-eared, time-traveling descendants come back for a visit, I’ll crank up the show tunes, break out the chocolate, and tell them my story.
I never really got into scrapbooking…but this kind of makes me wish I had. Your kids and grandkids (and so on) will love to look back on those books. And maybe in a thousand years there will finally be the flying cars that have been promised for so long!
Maybe! I’m going to do a series to create your own posts in lieu of a scrapbook. Stay tuned… maybe you can join me!
don’t forget you will also have this blog as a reminder of who you are!
Very true – I just have to started printing out the posts in case the internet becomes out of date. Is that possible? Could paper outlive digital?
I love this Dana. I was a scrap booker too. It has been awhile since I found time for this. I love how you haven’t changed and how you reflected on life then and now. Happy birthday, hope it is a wonderful year!
Thank you Kirsten!
Omg…why have I never thought of doing this? I LOVE THIS IDEA. Really and truly. I think it’s endearing that you did this for your future grandchildren. I feel like I would know my grandmother more if I’d had something like this from her. You have inspired me today! I’m absolutely doing this. Thank you!
I’m formulating a plan to do this, Beth – I will keep you posted!
Awww cute post! I love scrap booking too! I like to keep momentum from trips so I can later put them in my scrapbook!
http://www.artadorned.com
I do too! A little tough to do with blog posts, but I have a box where I keep all those memories.
Love it! Sometimes, I think I know who I am and, sometimes, I feel like I’m still figuring it out. Maybe I’m still changing?? Love that you made that book, though, and I totally look just like that when I’m sleeping, too! 🙂
I know you do! I remember from when we were roomies. 😉
Dana, this great! Your kids will love having your scrapbook to hand down to their children. And I agree about the sound of M&M’s being poured into a bowl! 🙂
They are the best, aren’t they?
OOOO,
I loved reading “Who You Are.”
I can relate to much of it.
For example, cheating. People would actually do that?
Also, the sound of M&Ms pouring into a glass bowl! Heaven.
And Books. Yes, please!!
xxx
Eating m&ms while reading…now THAT is heaven.
I love this scrapbook idea! What a beautiful way to pass on your history to future generations!
Thank you!
I love the idea of a “me” book! I really like the way you focused on the little things that make you who you are. It’s the details that make each of us special, isn’t it?
I think those details are the heart of who we are!
First of all, Happy Birthday!!! Wishing you a wonderful celebration, and a happy Halloween! I imagine that Halloween and your birthday have become intertwined in your life over the years. Hard not to have them mix together….
It’s also fun to look back though the records of our time. I’m not so much for scrapbooking now, but I really enjoy flipping through old family photo albums. Seeing my grandparents as children, and trying to imagine their lives is somehow oddly satisfying. I’m guessing that your great-great-great-great-great-grandchildren will enjoy seeing something of your life, whether its in a tattered ancient scrapbook or through time travel. Either way, they’ll be delighted to connect with you!
I had quite a few Halloween-birthday parties when I was a kid, Anna! I hope my great (times many) grandchildren will enjoy glimpsing a bit of my life too. If nothing else, learning a little about the olden days will be entertaining!
Oh my gosh what a creative idea! I have printed out many of my blog posts and stored them in two different boxes for my kids! That way they can know a bit more about their mom on a deeper level!!
I used to write letters tomy kids about them, but I don’t think I said much about me. Your kids are going to LOVE THESE. Oh, and your great great great great great great grandchildren will too- if they don’t get to meet you in person- time travel and all.
And you sleep so beautifully!! I mean, that position is perfect. 🙂
Why thank you, Chris!
I immediately knew I would like you when you said that one of your favorite things is the sound of M&Ms being poured into a bowl….it’s the little things that mean the most. Loved this post.
Thank you Sandra! We chocoholics have to stick together. 🙂
First, happy birthday!! You and I are alike in so many ways 🙂
I sadly don’t have many photos of me right now….most of the photos are of Eve! I like the idea of documenting who I am. I suppose I do this with the blog, but who knows if the internet will even be around in 1000 years. Can you imagine if we had documentation of our ancestors from 1000 years ago? I think that would be amazing!
That would be! As fast as technology is advancing, I doubt anything we use currently will be accessible in 1000 years. We are better off with good ole paper and pen!
First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I am eating M&Ms while I read this, so perhaps I need a bowl. I love that sound. One thing I hate is trying to put clothes on damp skin. Of a child. Who is struggling and fidgeting.
Calgon, take me away!
Peeling clothes off of damp skin is pretty horrible too! Especially when those clothes stay in a ball and go through the laundry that way. But I’m going to focus on the M&Ms instead.
I have an obscene amount of scrapbooking supplies boxed up in my basement, I’d really like to get back into one day. I never thought to do an ‘about me’ book, it’s such a great idea!
I remember reading about it in a magazine – it is a great idea. I have so many supplies too; I need to donate them somewhere, because I will never use them again!
This is a really cool idea. I won’t pretend I’ll actually take the time to make a scrapbook like this, but I do have a journal with prompts similar to the ones you describe that I guess I should fill out one day. Maybe I’ll do that when #1 and #2 go off to college and I’m feeling sad and needing to distract myself. 😉
Great thoughts again, Dana!
It took me two years to finish that scrapbook, Julia! Your comment gives me an idea – maybe I should answer those prompts again, via my blog. One prompt per post, and then print them out. Voila – much more doable than a scrapbook.
Maybe I should make it a New Year’s project and see if others want to join. Do one a month. Hmmm….
I would so join in on that. My blog needs a little something new. Please do it!
SORRY DANA , I PUT AMY’S NAME!!!! OOPS
I know who you meant 🙂
AMY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN! I LOVED THIS. I HAVE A SCRAPBOOK MADE FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN AND THEIRS ALSO BUT I IT IS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE SOPHISTICATION OF YOURS!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. I ALWAYS READ YOU COLUMN , EVEN THOUGH I DON’T COMMENT ON A REGULAR BASES. LOVE COUSIN…
That’s so nice to know – thank you, Daisy. I’m so glad you read and enjoy.
My scrapbooking days are over, but I’m so glad I have the ones that I do. I could spend hours looking through them.
What a great idea! I have tons of scrapbooks from when Tucker was born until he was a little over three. And then, I started blogging and haven’t done one since. And how cool if there’s time travel in 1,000 years! Happy happy birthday, beautiful friend. I’m lucky to know you In Real.
I’m lucky to know you In Real too! Let’s have lunch In real. Soon.
This is really spooky, Dana. For the first time in ages, a friend and I are getting together tonight to scrapbook. I’m going to haul everything out, lay it on the table and scrap. Wow. I am years behind. Years. Suspect I’ll spend the first hour daunted by the task and struggling to believe that my two really were that little. Once.
Maybe you should start with your most recent photos and work your way back; it may be less daunting that way.
It is hard to believe they were so little once, and that back then I could never have imagined what they would be like at the ages they are now.
Good idea, Dana, about working on contemporary photos. I must say I am tired of those 2009 ones. And yes, how were they so little, just 6 years ago?
Oh I love this!!! What a gift you have given to your kids and future great grandkids to know who this fabulous woman was that gave them everything they needed to survive in life.
Happy birthday my friend!
Thank you Kerri!
These are the things that your children and grandchildren will enjoy knowing about you. If they happen to have any of the same things, it will be neat for them to discover that too! I would love to be able to go back and read a blog or journal from previous generations!
That’s true – I didn’t think about how cool it would be if my great-great-grandchild had the same affinity for musicals or the same fear of clown dolls. Although in 100 years, clown dolls really should be extinct.
I love who you are. Happy birthday!!
Well, we do share half of our DNA, so it works out well that you love who I am. xoxo
This is absolutely perfect Dana and and now I am humming You’re the One That I Want from Grease!! 😉
Now I am too!
Ahhhh Dana this is beautiful! I really love it, and LOVE that I know you In Real to imagine you picking up pennies and seeking out people, and getting cranky at me cheating (I cheat at UNO, but that’s (usually) all) 🙂 I hope your descendants figure out how to time travel, and that they get to meet you. *I* feel lucky because I GOT TO!
The feeling is mutual, Lizzi. I would totally call you out for cheating, even at Uno. How does one cheat at Uno, anyway?
I may or may not have hidden cards underneath me, or up a sleeve, when it looked like I was going to lose. FYI – I lost anyway.
Dana, I adore how you did this! And HOW cute is your haircut in 2003? I moved to your town in 2003, and I’m guess, if I made scrap books, I would have bumped into you at Michaels. I love Grease, too! And did you pick-up your pennies head first – before or after you saw Grease?
That photo was taken right after a haircut – I could never get it to look like that! Maybe I did see you in Michael’s – how crazy would that be? And I didn’t even make the connection with Grease and pennies – I love that you know the movie well enough to do that!