When you are first getting started with the different tasks of building a Family Story Collection project of photos, family stories and more you will quickly discover that it’s hard work. And boy, does it take up a lot of time.

You may already be asking yourself, “Did I take on too big of a project?”

To that I would say, “No, of course you didn’t, because you are creating a very special gift for yourself and your family. But just go ahead and accept right now that it’s going to take some time. Make the choice to enjoy the process.”

I have a secret to tell you about what happens as you put in the hours creating a Family Story Collection, but first I want to share some insight about my personal project.

The catalyst for my project

In the last couple of years leading up to my mother’s death in 2020, she had some minor medical issues that made it necessary for me to visit her several times a week. (I didn’t mind ❤️). My mom and I always found our conversational flow very easy, so the time I spent with her was filled with fun conversations! 

I need to mention that my mother lived to be 92, so those two years we spent in those conversations were assumed by both of us to be near the end of your life. And, oh my, we talked about soooo many different things.

She told me stories about her childhood, falling in love with my dad, my own childhood years and so much more. I asked her questions ranging from why she had always disliked a woman from our hometown church to what caused the death of my maternal grandmother’s twin brother when he was only 7 years old.

When Mom unexpectedly died, the first few months afterward were busy ones for my sister and me. We closed up her house and made decisions about what to do with her belongings before putting it on the market. But after all of that was completed and I had a chance to catch my breath, I began to realize that she had given us a lovely last gift. Besides the vast collection of print photos and slides from my dad’s passionate photography hobby, she had left us with her stories.

The project continues

So now I’m into my 3rd year of working on scanning and organizing slides, prints and digital photos from the early 1900s until the present. I’m also working on writing down Mom’s stories as well as my own for my descendants. 

And let’s not forget about taking simple photos of some of her things that I brought home when we cleaned out her house. These aren’t heirlooms, but rather just objects that have stories stuck to them. 

I’ll let them go before long and my packed closets will breathe a sigh of relief. But first, simple photos are the best way to preserve memories and declutter at the same time!

Here’s the secret benefit to this big job

One day, after you’ve spent a Saturday morning scanning photos or taking some time to write a simple story, you might be caught off guard with an unexpected emotion. 

It could be while you’re scrolling through the newly scanned photos. Or reading back through a family member’s account of a family pet. 

And you’ll find yourself smiling. Despite your fatigue. Despite the sadness you might feel looking at photos of loved ones who have died or writing down their stories.

You will have discovered the secret to this big, ‘ole project.

JOY. There is joy in this journey.

Hang in there, friends, and watch out for the joy. It’s there.