Dying to Know ...

Did you know there was a Dying to Know You Day?

Me either. It's on 8th August in Australia.

So what's it about? Well, in a nutshell not letting our stories get lost. We don't have our family albums anymore, nothing tangible to lose in a burning house. Sure we have our online photos. But seriously where are they headed, I can barely manage my own let alone take on the legacy of a dearly departed's collection. And let's face it they don't tell you the story or who's in the picture the story is gone.

Have you ever been surprised to hear about someone you've loved that you've only learned after they have died? Completely dumbstruck by their hidden past or the impact they've had on someone. Because we don't ask or speak about the experiences.

Who Do You Think You Are isn't just for the rich and famous. It's the treasures in you and your people. Sure no family is without its quirks or disfunction but there's treasure for sure if you're willing to dig and share.

I watched my Auties funeral during lockdown via a video stream. I didn't see her often I live on another continent after all. But I discovered at her funeral, she like me had been a youth worker. I was stunned by the life I'd missed.

What little nuggets have become an unknown in your family? What reflections and understandings could you or an elderly relative share that might inspire or connect the dots?

What conversation are you missing out on?

When I was researching and conducting interviews for my Sweet 16 project it occurred to me there are so many conversations we miss with life getting in the way.

What is life if we only discover interesting aspects in a eulogy?

I've recently downloaded a template for an Emotional Will, I thought it was genius to go through those memories and send a letter or video message to those that have mattered.

The template from the Groundswell project can be downloaded here: Your Story Booklet

Groundswell encourages people to think about creating an Emotional Will in the same way they might their financial will.

One thing Sweet 16: What advice would you give your 16-year-old self? illuminated in its reception was the number of conversations women, in particular, felt they wanted to start not only with family but in society. After all, we've all come through our adolescence learning the occasional painful lesson in the process!

The very different and unique women who took part in your brilliant creation of Sweet 16 should all be very proud. Your book starts many conversations

Sure not every aspect of our lives needs to be picked apart. But the minutia is where we often find our joy, contentment, and gratitude for the life we've lived and the gratitude toward the people with whom we shared those experiences, tears, laughter, love, difficulties, and frustrations...

When I sat down to take up the challenge of creating my own emotional will, tears of joy and gratitude filled my heart and I don't think of myself as an overly sentimental person. As I pondered the people I wanted to share my thoughts with I was enveloped by my lifelong luck.

I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings

Family, work, and friendships have their ups and downs. There are no rose-tinted glasses. And finding your words and methodology to share thoughts and feelings can be tricky. But when we know one of the top five regrets patients in palliative care is the wish to have had more courage to express their feelings, it's a regret you can avoid by recording as you go.

Some methods in creating your own memory book or emotional will:

• Video
• Photobook
• Document
• Snippets?and memoribilia

In need of storytelling ideas and tips check out my latest blog post and reach out if you're interested in creating an epic Photo Coffee Table Book for your family! or just a little note book ???????