Four fun ways to capture life’s memories

Life is full of unique experiences and memorable events. But often our most significant moments are fleeting. So we rely on memories — and the tradition of storytelling — to keep them alive. Throughout the ages, women have found ways to preserve their family histories and honour loved ones. From keeping a journal to creating a beautiful charm bracelet that captures special memories, here are four fun, tried-and-true ways to tell your story:

Use photography

Images, like photographs and drawings, are great ways to remember events in our lives. Since the invention of cameras, people have used photo albums to capture events and illustrate the stories of their families and friends.

Today, many youngsters have taken up scrapbooking, using photographs, artifacts and well-chosen words to create one, comprehensive story. 
Modern technology has allowed people to take scrapbooking a step further: a blog can be a virtual scrapbook. It can incorporate images, slideshows and written anecdotes — and be personalized in many different ways. In addition, services such as Facebook, Flickr and Snapfish offer ways to create photo albums on the Internet. These services let you share your pictures with family and friends.


Add to charm bracelets

What better way for true fashionistas to commemorate their favourite moments than through personalised jewellery? Charm bracelets, for example, are wearable memory keepers that can be customised to capture unforgettable moments, while celebrating a woman’s personal style. Any woman can string together charms that tell her own unique story: a silver wedding cake, her birthstone, Murano glass beads in the colours of her alma matter. Want to get started? The Internet is a good place to begin.


Keep a journal

For many of us, tracking our personal histories started in school with our first diary. We turned to them to express ourselves and remember our first kiss or a big social event attended by friends. 
As adults, journaling remains an effective way to cherish our memories. To jot down special moments day or night, keep a notepad in your purse or on the nightstand. Want to share your story with friends, loved ones and others? Use the Internet to blog about your day. You never know who might learn from your story: Anne Frank’s famous diary is one of history’s greatest stories, and memoirs from icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Theodore Roosevelt have topped the best-seller’s list.


Collect and preserve heirlooms

Who doesn’t know a woman who has saved baby clothes long after her children are grown? Or still has her wedding dress years after her big day? Museums and libraries are not the only places to find old artifacts — take a peek inside your grandmother’s closet or attic. Treasures abound. If you have objects that evoke memories near and dear to your heart, then preserve them.

Tap into your inner curator, and invest in acid-free boxes and tissues that keep your objects safe. And when they’re not on display, store your treasurers in a cool, dry place with little light.