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Tuesday, April 14, 2009

"When I was your Age."

I am alone writing a series of stories and letters titled, "When I was Your Age", a memoir that will be a finished product by December. When I am not reading or blogging, or at the doctor, or volunteering, I'm polishing that book of mine.

There is so much we want to tell our children and grandchildren before we die: stories of how life was back in our days, snippets of historical significance, important events that our grandchildren will read in history books.

Our memories become the legacy we leave to our children. I may not live to see the birth of all my grandchildren. Many people write books of recipes, with stories to go with each dish. These tidbits add so much meaning to those future days when dishes are shared and someone will talk about Nonna and her famous spaghetti sauce.

My book took two years to complete. Unlike other projects, I had a difficult time being objective. I'm too close to the events, too touched by the emotions. I am still trying to do a good editing job before I shop around for an agent.


Should I pass tomorrow, my stories and letters will continue to speak louder than any piece of jewelry or endowmnet I leave behind.

23 comments:

Natalie said...

That is wonderful, Rosaria! I wish my grandparents had done that, it would have made my family history searches a whole lot easier!
Can't wait to read it.xx♥

Anonymous said...

From what I know of your history, I'm sure it will be a remarkable collection of stories! Too often the younger generation discredits the wisdom of the older generation as being old fashioned rather than relevant, and for their part the older generation tends to accept this brush-off. I applaud you, therefore, for diligently seeking to make a difference and for establishing your voice - regardless of age. Let me know when it is available to order and I will do just that. Good luck

Delwyn said...

Rosaria, that is a wonderful achievement, good luck with the editing...

When you said 'our memories become the legacy we leave our children' I can see what you mean and understand the phrase in the context of the history that you have written for your children and the unborn grandchildren, but I hope the real legacy that I leave my children lies in their memories.

Anonymous said...

True, so true! I believe the book will be a treasure and who knows? It may just be loved by many, as is your blog!

Nancy said...

But don't you think it all the more interesting because you are subjective? I'm doing a cookbook. Still can't dig out and write about some things yet. Cookbooks are safe, I think.

Amy said...

How absolutely wonderful! I've begun something just like you said. Compiling a cookbook which contains tidbits and stories and recipes handwritten by my grandmother, etc. My hope is to get it finished and copy it for all of my children. It's been quite an ongoing labor of love.

I think we'd all like to get our hands on a copy of your manuscript!

Man of Roma said...

Very interesting thing. Why don't you publish just a bit of them here? I think your readers would love to read. There might be copyright problems with the publisher though.

Fire Byrd said...

You are so right, I know that there is no-one left to tell me stories, except my sister and she is younger than me.
I know that in the therapy book I'm writing its all about just pouring out the knowledge in my head of the last 30 years.
I try and tell stories to my children when they will listen, and certainly I have passed on the knowledge of some of my mother's receipes to them.
xx

Siobhán said...

What a great project.
Best of luck with your editing phase.

Bogey said...

I can't wait for you to finish your editing process and have it printed. With your wisdom it should be a best seller. And I would love to have a copy of it in my library.

Helen said...

Good morning! If more of us recorded our stories for future generations we could increase our 'richness quotient' a million times.

Suldog said...

About the best we can do for future generations is remind them of the glories we've seen, warn them of the pitfalls we've experienced, and then shrug it off when they say "Eh."

Tess Kincaid said...

Congratulations! What a wonderful treasure to be passed down to your descendants.

karen said...

What a wonderful idea! I know your book will be amazing...

angela recada said...

What a wonderful idea. That will truly be a precious gift to your family and all the other people who love you. (I wish my forefathers and foremothers had done this!)

Eleonora Baldwin said...

Bravaaaaaaa!
Hurry editing and get this book on the shelf, I'm ready with my credit card. I'd love to read some, but as Giorgio says, perhaps blogging parts of it could be risky as far as copyright... perhaps. I'm not sure, though.

As I've told you, I've written a cookbook which contains history, trivia, stories and recipes originally handwritten by my grandmother and mother in a "manual" for me to inherit. Since the recipes are the leit motif binding the story of my personal journey in Italian food and lifestyle, it is my testimony for my child. It was thanks to him that I ever got it in my head to start writing. E' un testamento spirituale per lui.

Thnk you for this lovely post. It made me happy.

Woman in a Window said...

Here, here! Pounding table! Yes!

Elizabeth Bradley said...

Editing is a drag, but crucial. Your motivation for the memoir is a beautiful thing. I look forward to reading the finished product.

Pyzahn said...

Story telling, both written and verbal, is a lost art. We've really just walked away from sharing heritage and legacy.

Every now and then my mother will drop a little snippet I've never heard before. I soak it up. But she is not at all interested in writing. And really only shares almost by accident when it slips out.

Her life was hard. I suppose she doesn't want to relive it.

I wish you much success with you book. It sounds like a labor of love.

Kikit said...

Everyone's excited to read your book! I can't believe blogosphere offers free communication with published (and soon-to-be) writers.

Dave King said...

That is a wonderful idea. Why haven't we all thought of doing that? More power to you!

Renee said...

Rosarai this is so beautiful. I hope that I get a chance to read your book.

I will hold it in my hand with reverence.

I understand this need. Well, maybe it is not a need for you and the word may be wrong, but it is a need for me.

Love Renee xoxo

Sydney said...

Congratulations on taking the time and going there -- as not all walks down memory lane are easy or pleasant, though many are.... and at times I'd like to go back and live there (see dancing all night every night, in HEELS).

looking forward to hearing more about it.