Sometimes you strike gold when you aren’t even mining for it.
The idea was planted the way a lot of great ideas are–buried in the loamy subconscious, waiting to burst surface at just the right time.
The blame–no, make that credit–goes to Don Miller, an author who has made me think and giggle (and sometimes just aggravates me). We were first introduced when I read Searching for God Knows What
But it’s in Miller’s A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
In A Million Miles, Don introduced me to Bob Goff.
Unless you’ve read the book, it’s likely you’ve never heard of Bob Goff, but to me, he’s an unassuming, modern-day hero. He’s a husband, a daddy, a lawyer, a pursuer of people, a thinker, a dreamer, a seeker of Jesus, a doer…and a lover of balloons. Bob is founder and CEO of Restore International, whose mission is to make a difference on behalf of those who do not otherwise have a voice. That resonated with me because it’s close to the exact phrase I’ve used to explain why I so wanted to write as a Compassion partner.
Anyways…
Through memory’s cloud, I recall something Bob shared with Don: writing down a memory from each day. Though I don’t remember the particulars of the chapter, this idea has been my ghost companion for months; I’m gifted with poor memory. What a simple, marvelous answer for remembering a lot of little somethings!
In October, I declared it to be my New Year’s resolution.
January first came and went, but I never began.
School ended and I thought, “Now! Now, I’ll start!”
But I didn’t.
This week, my daughter and I stopped in Francesca’s, a darling little shop stuffed with oodles of this, that and the other, when suddenly fire engines clanged to life in my head–
I picked it up…petted its leatherette cover…stroked its slick gilded pages. Then I turned it over, saw its price tag and thought “Are you kidding–$16.95 for a blank-paged book?!” Bob whispered in my ear, quickly reshaping my thinking–“ONLY $16.95 TO CAPTURE FIVE YEARS OF MEMORIES?!”
Peeking over my shoulder, Rachel, who by now had sidled up to me, interrupted my thought, “Well, that’s a good idea,” so I asked if she wanted one, too. To my disappointment, she declined my offer.
Not half an hour later, she exercised her woman’s prerogative. We didn’t have time to return to the store, so I gave her my copy.
Three days later she declared,
“Mom, I have a feeling this is going to end up being
one of the bests gifts you’ve ever given me.“
I’m inclined to agree.
I think Bob would, too.
An idea planted by stranger-friends has blossomed into a most lovely bouquet.
* * * * * * * *
{Note: If you’re interested in in purchasing your own One Line a Day/Five-Year Memory Book
Robin, I just want to say how much this truly meant and inspired me! I don’t plan on buying the book, but I plan to use my blog and turn it into 1 memory (1-2 lines) a day along with Ann Voskamp’s 1,000 gifts turned into 5,000 gifts for the 5 year duration. I can’t wait to look back on my life in 5 years! Thank you!
I just gave that book to my friend when she had her sweet baby boy. I figured it was much less intimidating than a typical “Baby Book”. I love the idea of one sentence a day.
I invision her book full of entries like “You’re the sweetest baby in the world” and “Your tooth finally broke through today” and “You’re just getting so big!”
I’ve been wanting to get one of those books! thanks for the reminder 🙂 Bob Goff is absolutely amazing. He spoke at my law school last spring (we organized a joint appearance w/ Christian Legal Society & International Justice Mission). It was amazing. He just absolutely inspires me.
Oh I had completely forgotten about that book. Definitely going to get one. Thanks for the reminder!
Love this idea, Robin. Thanks for passing it along! I might have to get this one.
That is an intriguing idea…. Thinking, thinking, thinking ….
Great idea1 wish so badly I’d thought of this years ago…there are so many little things my children remember, that I have no recollection of. This is a step in the right direction for me. I’ll help you buy that bowl of cherries! *Blessings*
well … I guess we could just do that in some lined notebook. priceless, either way.
In some ways our blogs have been doing that for us.
Liberty,
Tell me about it! I SO wish I had begun this a thousand years ago. Or 30. Or 20. Or heck, last year ;). IT'S NEVER TOO LATE so I hope you act on this NOW!
Before you forget 😉 :).
Pamela,
I've had both of these thoughts. Thing is, I "planned" on using notebooks I already have squirreled away somewhere to do this. But the INTENTION lies within this book itself, kind of its own motivator.
I love this. It somehow makes it more special. And the guy that published and sold a blank book is brilliant!
I love things like this that I can buy a bunch of and give as gifts as I greet people in life. Good idea!
I am supposed to choose and teach a book for an adult Sunday school class. Upon reading your post, I put a reserve on the Searching for God Knows What book. My son enjoyed his Blue Like Jazz book. Thanks for the recommendation.
I loved Dons book, a Million Miles as well, it was a true life changer for me. I have many times ventured into the garden of daily journalling only to be distracted by some path to a seemingly more important thing to do.
The book looks awesome and I think I may check it out…
Correct that, I WILL check it out… 🙂
A hui hou kakou…
Michael