I Want To Remember
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I want to remember that Simon wore a long sleeved Angry Birds t-shirt, blue shorts and his "summer shoes" since the weather was still nice. He was super excited about the shirt.
I want to remember that Simon decided to keep using the same backpack he's had since kindergarten. A simple blue backpack from REI that's really a tad small for him but I know it's comfortable and familiar and it still fits what he needs to take back and forth.
I want to remember how excited Anna was to go to school. She bounded down the stairs way too early, before Simon had even left. She was ready to get in the car way too early after a breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast and milk.
I want to remember how awesome it is whenever my Mom visits, even more so on special days like this.
I want to remember how Anna's teacher whispered to her as she entered the classroom, "Anna you are going to be such a great helper this year."
I want to remember Simon bounding off the bus with a big smile on his face when he returned home. He was so happy that he got to eat cheese pizza for lunch.
I want to remember picking Anna up from school and getting to see her napping on her cot. Most of the time she's up and playing on the playground when I pick her up - it was a special treat to see her comfortable and peacefully asleep.
I want to remember how Simon told me at the dinner table that his most favorite part of the day was "switching groups" (like when they moved from painting to reading) and his least favorite part was that the bus was late in the morning.
I want to remember how Anna told me at the dinner table that her most favorite part of the day was "drawing" and that her least favorite was that she didn't get to paint.
I want to remember how Simon & Anna chose to watch a classic Shirley Temple movie "Bluebird" after dinner.
I want to remember that even when it feels tough sometimes there's so much love here and we end our days with hugs, kisses, prayers and I love you's.
The technique of using a repeated phrase such as "I want to remember..." as a journaling prompt is one of my favorite strategies for storytelling. No reason to re-invent the wheel when this one really helps me get my stories told.Want more? Check out my 13 Everyday Life Journaling Prompts or learn more about my approach in my self-paced online workshop Storyology.
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70 comments
I wish the first day of school has been so memorable for us. My son is, let's say, uncooperative when it comes to cameras. Maybe I should have taken more pictures when he was younger. Many days I happy to remember where my keys are.
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I have five boys who were or are equally uncooperative for me once the camera appears. I always told/tell them that a "first day of school" picture is a must, and that they can either pose nicely by the front door, or I can bring my camera to the bus stop and take pictures there. That does the trick!
Notice how this is the only photo I shared? Get what you can get :).
Thanks for the laugh this morning. I want to remember where my keys are too!
Thanks Ali.
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love and miss you. Your kids are so very lucky for all the love around them.
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Love and miss you too Danelle.
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"I want to remember" to journal like this!!
so beautiful.
thank you.
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This made me smile today and I needed that. I want to remember your photo and comments. Lovely piece. Thank you.
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Ali , when you have a story like this, do you just leave it on the blog or are you planning to make a layout for an album?
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I will either make a layout or add the journaling to Project Life. I try to get it into something vs. just on here but sometimes time slips away.
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I like the prompt strategy as well...I find it works the best to get things flowing. I wonder if you have a list of prompts somewhere on your blog? I will look...
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Here's a link to 13 Everyday Life journaling prompts: http://aliedwards.com/2011/05/13-everyday-life-journaling-prompts.html
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Truly a great journaling technique. Thank you for sharing your "want to remember" moments with us. Ending with "I want to remember that even when it feels tough sometimes there’s so much love here and we end our days with hugs, kisses, prayers and I love you’s" is so very beautiful. So many of us readers can relate to that very sentiment.
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looks like it was a great first day! hooray!!! so happy for you all. and PS your entry sidewalk is beautiful.
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I love all those sweet memories.....makes your heart flutter doesn't it. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia
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Thanks for sharing your beautiful journaling!
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I love this post so much, my friend.
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Brilliant post, Ali. So inspirational, in fact, that I wrote my own, based on the idea, just now! Thank you so much. You are a constant inspiration.
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I LOVE this. Beautiful memories and not only a great way to prompt journaling but a great way to see all the joys in life when things get rough. Inspiring as always.
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Ali, I just wanted to say how fantastic the photo is with Simon and the bus in the background. It definately shows the story of him going to school and I love how he is still trying to put on his backpack.
And I also wanted to say that you are so right to want to remember these little snippets of their day because I know it has been said way too many times before, but it really does fly by. I just photographed my daughter backing out of the drive for college just a couple of weeks ago. It was both a moment of heartbreak and great pride. I say enjoy the ride while you can!
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We have quite the arsenal of Angry Birds t-shirts here, too. Love the repeated journaling prompt, I need to do that more often.
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This is so sweet, and such a great idea for journaling. There is a lot of power in repetition, and it makes for a beautiful story. Happy first day of school!
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Wonderful post! Will have to try the prompts! Thanks!
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Love, love, love this!! I think I will try this for my kiddos first day of Senior Kindergarten tomorrow :-) Thanks as always Ali!!!
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What a great journaling prompt ... that's exactly what we all want to do ... "remember". Thanks for reminding us that it can be just that simple!
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I love your style, Ali---thanks for sharing and for always providing such simple, brilliant inspiration.
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