Journaling as a Family
Sometimes you can tell that your family will never keep personal, individual journals. You may be able to get some sort of history created by building a family journal. Everyone contributes, but it takes less work than a regular journal.
There are several ways to compile a family journal. Both require the family to agree on a frequency and date. You might agree to work on it once a month, during the last family home evening of the month, or on the last Sunday afternoon. If a specific date and time aren't chosen, the journal won't get completed.
One way to write the journal is to work together to put down the words. Everyone gathers in one room, in whatever pose and setting makes them comfortable. If it's cold, wrap in blankets and start a fire in the fireplace. Set out some goodies—-finger foods and drinks. The goal is to create a warm and inviting environment for the family. Each person should bring to the meeting anything that will remind him of the month's events—-his personal journal, programs, newspaper articles and calendars. Each person should also have spent a little time remembering the month. One person should be named the writer in advance—-this person will write the words decided on by others. Set up a tape recorder as well, in case the discussion gets enthusiastic and ideas are forgotten.
Once everyone is settled, the writer will place a dry erase board where everyone can see it. Ask everyone to name significant events of the month: Special activities the family did, current events that affect the nation or world, and individual milestones. You are just making a list at this stage.
When the list is complete, decide in what order you want the events to be listed and number them. You can list them chronologically, by person, or by category. Then switch to computer or paper. Read the first event on the list and ask everyone to help you fill in the details. When that event is written about, move to the next one. Wherever possible, add some quotes that express the feelings of the participants. A description of a family party might look like this:
"On Valentine's Day we had a family party with all of us, Grandma and Grandpa Blossom, and Aunt Elizabeth. Marcy was in charge of the refreshments, so it was no surprise that everything—and we mean everything—was chocolate. We had chocolate cake, chocolate milk, chocolate candy and chocolate cookies. Grandma and Grandpa talked about their first meeting, which happened at the church Valentine's Day dance when Grandma was sixteen. We played some silly games, and Aunt Elizabeth won every game she didn't let the little children win. She even won the headstand contest, which was pretty surprising, considering that we didn't even know she could do a headstand."
Although this entry isn't long, it gives a picture of some of the participants that brings the event and the people to life. Continue to do this until the list is complete. If you regularly have long lists, you may want to switch to weekly write-ups. If you include good refreshments and a fun activity when it's over, you may not get too much protest. Usually, the remember-whens turn out to be a lot of fun.
Someone should be appointed to compile each month's writing into a book, so it becomes a permanent record. When the book becomes too large, start a new one. Keep all the audio tapes you made during the sessions as well. These will be treasured in the future, and someone may be willing, someday, to transcribe the best ones.
More on Journaling:
Become a Keeper of the Family Stories: Don't let the stories of your family's past or present slip away, to be forgotten forever. Create a legacy by learning and telling the stories often.
Your Eternal Journal: Why your journal will matter and how to get started.