I can only imagine what a pain I was at family reunions, and with friends! I cornered anyone I could and begged them to tell me their stories.
The recordings were transcribed; photographs were added; scrapbooks were created. Although I never won a blue ribbon at the county fair, I loved everything about the process.
Around that same time, became interested in nursing and began hospital volunteer work as a Candy Striper when I was fourteen.
When it was time to decide on a career path, I choose nursing, but continued writing, photography and collecting stories.
As I look back on my nursing career, I realize I chose to work with populations where storytelling, and being listened to, was integral to optimal health: hospice, psychiatry, pediatrics, physical rehabilitation and assisting refugees in Ghana.
I retired from nursing a few years ago, to return to my interest in writing memoir and personal essay.
Now, as a member of The Association of Personal Historians (APH), and I am excited to resume the the work I loved as a young girl: capturing and preserving individual and family history. Next month I will attend the annual conference and officially launch my services as Story Doodler.
Additional information about APH available here:
http://www.personalhistorians.org/
My equipment and skills are updated, but the passion, curiosity and excitement are decades old and ready to explore personal histories once again.
I will use this blog to explore the process and results of working as a personal historian. I invite you come on the journey with me.
My website, StoryDoodler.com, with details of the services provided, will be launched soon.