Among
the many preparations for my mother’s funeral last week, I was responsible for
collecting and scanning photos to create a video of her life. I also volunteered to deliver her eulogy, a
presentation and a farewell for a long life well lived.
Not
everything I collected was used. Both
the video and the eulogy were heavily edited by me, not because my mother lived
a scandalous life, but because some things were private.
Some
folks sent pictures that out of context were no longer funny. Some things that happened in her ninety years
on earth were not for display.
All
of this makes me aware of how I have lived my own life. Some things were not of my choosing and also
not for public display.
My
maternal grandmother once told me one should have no regrets at the end of the
journey on this earth. I asked her how
one accomplishes that, and she said, “Forgiveness.” Forgive yourself and the other person. Life
is full of mistakes, but instead of dwelling on them, forgive yourself, learn
from it, and move on.
Wise
woman.
Here
are some autobiographical writing prompts.
They dwell on the positives in our lives. Use them as a guide as you move toward a life
with no regrets.
1. Who
did you love most and why?
2. What
are your best accomplishments and why?
3. What
are your best characteristics/the best things about you?
4. What
were the best days of your life and why?
5. Who
were your best and truest friends and why?
6. Who
are/were the people who made the most difference in your life?
7. For
what would you like to be remembered?
8. Make
a list of “firsts,” firsts that shaped you into the person you are today:
first
kiss, first car, first love, first encounter with death, first moment you
realized you were now an adult, first heart break, first disappointment, first
. . ..
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