Image via Wikipedia

One thing I’d like to emphasize is the need to document our lives for the next generation. Blogging has been ideal for this. In the olden days, before typewriters, computers and word processors, people actually kept written diaries. You know, like with paper and pen? Actual ink? I know, isn’t that wild?

Not only did people keep written diaries, they also wrote letters to each other. It was one of the only ways of communicating, especially over distance. I find this fascinating — we take so much for granted, these days. We are a society of instant gratification. Imagine writing a letter to a loved one asking an important question, and having to wait for DAYS…maybe even WEEKS for a response. The suspense would kill me.

Because of Momma’s passing, I’ve come to look at blogging in a whole different light. A couple of years ago, I encouraged her (some may say “nagged”, but that’s not entirely correct) to blog. She once had a column in the local newspaper that she wrote for years, back in the 70′s. She was intrigued and curious about blogging, and did end up blogging until March of this year, when she put all her effort into fighting her epic battle with cancer.

I am grateful beyond what I can express that not only do I have the articles she wrote in the 70′s about her children in the early years, but also the blog she kept in later times. When I feel particularly lonely or sad, I visit her there.  Since there is no grave at which to mourn (she donated her body to the local university,) it is a virtual place for her family to be able to pay homage and receive comfort.

****

The point of all this is, you might have a “business” blog, but I encourage you (not nagging, heh, just saying) to keep a private one as well. There are plenty of sites that offer this option; LiveJournal provides filters for subject matter, and MySpace lets you keep your entries to private only. Many sites allow you to password protect your entries; some hide everything from the search engines. The passwords to my private accounts are in a safe place, and should I Buy The Farm unexpectedly, there is protocol in place to unlock all my secrets.

Well, maybe not ALL. A girl has to have some things for herself. Heh. You know, like my Sex Secrets and where I’ve hidden my millions. (Millions of what, I’m not telling.)

****

My private blog contains letters to my unborn grandbaby. It documents life-changing experiences that have ultimately affected both my children and their children. Maybe it sheds some light on when and why I’ve done the things I have, imparting some kind of sense on how they’ve become the wonderful people they are.

When I’m gone, my children will have documented memories of me. My grandchildren will know me in a way previous generations never knew their ancestors. Some day, historians will use stories like mine to reconstruct a time gone by, in my own words with my own experiences.

I think that’s pretty cool.