Eyes closed, gliding gently on the edge of the patio with my toes being tickled by the grass…I’m in for a sensory treat. It’s the first really mild day so far that 2018 Summer, so the breeze’s touch feels delightful. After hearing birdsong in the distance and smelling a fragrant blend of flowering blooms, I open my eyes and notice what hadn’t been on the lawn when I came out to glide.

A dozen spiky balls from the gum tree overhanging our Terrace Drive patio had plopped onto the grass. Their stems lifted them a bit above the grass, reminding me of little golf balls, teed up and ready to drive toward the hole.

Ideas for moments to jot about come pouring in. Maybe the times I enjoyed playing miniature golf when I was a child. It was one of our family’s favorite pastimes.

How about my daughter’s 9th birthday party at Putt-Putt? (I’m wondering why our photo box has one remaining photo of me putt-ing, but none of the birthday girl?! And chuckling at my younger self choosing a golf ball coordinated with the color of my shirt!)

Then there’s the moment I became a golf “champion” toward the end of our first Florida vacation as a married couple, much to the chagrin of my husband who had been golfing his entire life!

That’s when this month’s Jottings Tip comes to mind:

TEE IT UP

When memories start coming to you but you’re not sure where they may take you next, try one of these 3 simple ways to capture something that will remind you of them later.

***Take a quick photo

***Say a few words into the voice recorder on your phone

***Make a note in a small notebook you keep in your purse or pocket

We think we’ll always remember and come back to these memories, but sometimes they hit us so briefly before another moment pops into our minds and pushes that one out. Memories can be so fleeting!

But if we set our intention to capture them, it’s like we’re teeing it up. We’re preparing, setting the stage, getting things ready for later consideration.

Later…when you have more time or when you’re in a relaxed environment or when you sense a nudge, add them to your ongoing Memory List. Then you can easily come back to these moments and choose which, if any, would energize you to jot about and share with loved ones as you build your family’s Mini-Stories Collection.

Let’s give it a try this month and let me know how that feels…

Wanna chat? 💕

JOYfully jotting,

Katie

Family PhotoStory Curator

Mini-Stories Writing Coach

Your Legacy of Memories Mentor

Capturing Mini-Moments That Matter…

Energizing & Connecting Families for Generations!