Published: February 27, 2009 08:38 am      

Leaving a legacy: Write for those who follow

Writing. For some people it sounds like a chore, while others love it. For some it comes naturally, while others have to struggle at it for hours.

Love it or hate it, what many people don’t consider is the value of writing. Aside from the obvious fact that it’s good for you, there’s a bigger reason to record your life experiences.

Writing about your life can mean a lot to your family, especially your children and grandchildren. You may wonder who would want to read about your life. Lots of people think their lives are average or boring, not worth writing, much less reading, about.

However average or unaverage your life is, it is your story, and your family wants to know it. The events of your life tell others how you became the person you are. Even the mundane tales of everyday life become interesting to those who know you.

My grandfathers had two very different life callings. My maternal grandpa, Roy Smith, was a politician for 45 years who, among other things, served as Michigan’s State Representative for 14 years. My paternal grandpa, Ray Loyola, was a missionary and traveling evangelist in Latin America.

Grandpa Smith published a book in 2006 on his life and experiences in politics. It has photos of him as a football player at Oberlin and during his time of service in the Marine Corps. I have a copy of his book that I can look at any time I miss him, and one day read to my kids.

Grandpa Loyola didn’t talk much about his life, and he didn’t write down his experiences. I know bits and pieces of his story from my dad, but even he doesn’t know much about Grandpa’s missionary days. We all wish we knew more. Grandpa Loyola passed away this December, and with him went his life story.

My two grandpas represent two extremes. While most people won’t publish an autobiography, a written record of one’s life is invaluable.

I love being able to know my Grandpa Smith’s whole story, from his birth in a Tennessee log cabin to his political career. I also love knowing that his story won’t be easily or quickly forgotten.

On the other hand, not knowing much about Grandpa Loyola’s life leaves a dark hole in the history of where I came from. I so wish he would’ve shared his story for the rest of his family to know.

No matter how old you are, it’s never too early, or too late, to start writing. If your history exists only in your memory, start writing it down for those who will want to know it after you are gone. Your life and experiences are unique to you, and only you can tell your story.

Extraordinary or ordinary, start leaving a legacy and write for those who follow.



Elise Loyola is a staff writer for the Clinton Herald. She has been here since November 2008 and she can be reached at eliseloyola@clintonherald.com.