The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By Elaine Slater Reese - Spring Green, Wi.
Do you ever look at pages and pages of your friend's genealogy records? You wish that you could collect and put together info like that for your family. Computer sites have made that much easier to do than in the past. In the future years, it may become more difficult. People today seem to have a difficult enough time living - they don't plan for dying.
More and more we read in the obits -no services will be held. More and more the deceased are cremated and their ashes scattered at seas or sites that were important to them in their lifetime. Fewer and fewer tombstones are sold.
You probably think you aren't an artist or a writer. WRONG! YOU CAN PAINT PORTRAITS OF LOVED ONES YOU KNOW AND LEAVE THEM AS SPECIAL GIFTS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
You don't need canvas, brushes, or oils. How about some paper and pens - or use your word processing program. You think you can't write. Yes, you can - you can paint word portraits of loved ones you know.
Try this simple project. Instead of spending money for a Father's Day card this year - make your own It will be your Word Portrait - treasured memories of your dad. Here is an example of the card I might create.
DAD, I REMEMBER
you in faded overalls and a sweaty old long sleeved blue denim shirt - mowing hay (teaching me to drive the tractor when I was about eight years old) - caring for your herd of registered Hereford cattle and teaching me to love and know each animal just as you did
you teaching me how to lead our two wonderful big work horses (Bell and Beauty) up and down in the barn lot as the fork lifted the bales of hay and straw up into the hay mow
you motioning to me to come quietly to a dark corner in the manger and showing me the new litter of kittens
you taking us to Sunday School and church every Sunday - you teaching me to honor and love my Heavenly Father
you teaching us that honesty and a good name were important
you insisting that I go to college:you walking me down the aisle
you always having time for your grandchildren And as I start making a list, the memories go on and on. The tears fill my eyes, and my heart is filled with love and thanksgiving for being blessed with you as my dad.
I challenge you, Reader, to start your Dad's list today. Give it to him for Father's Day or put it in a Family Memory Box. Someday someone will be thrilled to find your Family Word Portraits.