Memories come as story pieces

“I have written my life in small sketches, a little today, a little yesterday, as I have thought of it, as I remember all the things from childhood on through the years, good ones, and unpleasant ones, that is how they come out and that is how we have to take them.” Grandma Moses: My Life’s Story, Anna Mary Moses

As with Grandma Moses, I have found that my memories come to me in small sketches. These are my story pieces. If I sit with them, the colours get brighter and the details become more distinct. I recall conversations around the fire, the sand between my toes, the salt crusted on my skin, the orange glow of firelight dancing across my father’s face, the smell of fish frying in the pan, and the tiredness sinking into my limbs after a day playing and fishing in the ocean. I take my pen and sketch out this scene in words.

My memories come to me in story pieces. The smell of jasmine reminds me of my student days, with little money and big dreams. My troubles felt overwhelming, but hope was a small pinprick of light, and I could find joy in unexpected places. Like the jasmine sprigs that tumbled haphazardly from an old jar on my kitchen table. I had cut them early one Sunday morning when the streets were quiet and the day was just beginning. My heart was aching, but the sweet, warm smell of jasmine felt like a gentle breeze that lifted the spirit and melted emotion. I capture this image in my journal.

In today’s fast-paced world, where we barely have time for ourselves, it is a blessing that our memories come to us as small sketches. Like Grandma Moses, we can record our life a little today, some more tomorrow. If we did this for one year, we would have 365 story pieces from our life.

So, today set aside thirty minutes and create a word-sketch of one of your memories. This is your first story piece. We would love for you to share it with us.