Write to Remember the special people in your life--great concept
351402
What a lovely idea! As I read the poignant stories told of the loved ones featured in the book, all kinds of thoughts sprang into my mind. I was thinking of stories I need to pen in honor of my dad, my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and even dear friends.  I also think we should start this with our loved ones who are still with us.  Then my mind began taking other leaps considering the possibilities with this. Scrap-booking is so popular, so why not make a memory book of a loved one or loved ones and give them as gifts. In fact, this is being done frequently to keep the mind that has started down the harsh road of Alzheimers Disease.  These books could be given to other family members for Christmas and birthday gifts or to honor a remembered anniversary or whatever.
If I have any criticisms at all about the book, it is the length which was a little daunting for me, but it wouldn't be for the person who was reading about his or her loved one. I also saw a couple of grammatical and spelling errors, but that is hard to avoid and happens sometimes even when you hire an objective editor. It happens all the time. When the book is really good and compelling reading, I can accept a couple of errors as long as they don't distract from the overall nuance of the book.
This was a clever, worthwhile project. The three contributors have differing writing styles and approaches. All of them write honestly, remembering the good and the bad about their loved ones. I can sense that all three loved their subjects. While in some cases, there were people with unpleasant issues, they were still loved and they were loved for their strengths. All three authors brought their loved ones to life and that was the point of the book. You felt like you knew them, too.
I hope I take the inspiration I got from reading this wonderful book and use it for positively to memorialize some of the special people in my life. Passing down the genealogy of our family tree is important, but special memories of our loved ones are more important. It gives is a sense of belonging and understanding why we are the way we are.
2761898
This makes such a lovely gift to remember a loved one recently lost. Friends just love it!
4133987
*From Me to You: The reluctant writer's guide to powerful, personal messages* will help you to eloquently communicate your innermost thoughts and feelings, creating memorable gifts that are as rewarding to give as to receive.
In *From Me to You* JacLynn Morris and Paul L. Fair, Ph. D., present examples of many kinds of personal messages, including
those of appreciation, apology, advice, inspiration, and comfort. The first requirement of a personal message is to write in your "true voice." Using vivid everyday language contributes sincerity and depth to a message.
Morris and Fair identify five basic elements to include in nearly every message, regardless of its purpose:
1. What got me thinking about you?
2. What are my positive feelings for you?
3. What makes you special to me?
4. What do I remember and treasure about our time together?
5. What do I want you to get from my message?
These elements, which need not be in any particular sequence, are unobtrusively identified in the many messages that serve as models in *From Me to You*. The authors also add several special elements and techniques that are helpful for especially difficult messages. One of the most interesting of these is Writing in the Margins, creating a separate column on your page in which you write your inner thoughts and feelings that might detract from your message's purpose.
Morris and Fair do not limit their messages to print -- or even to words. They discuss audio and videotape messages, collections of music, annotating children's creations, passing along stories with family recipes. There is no end to the number of ways to create lasting messages for the special people in your life.
Many of us are in the sad situation of having questions about our family members but having no living person who can answer them. Providing your loved ones with messages that communicate your feelings and your family stories will reduce the likelihood that this will happen to them.
As you celebrate special occasions, why not give powerful, personal messages to those you love? Such messages are lasting
gifts; they can be read again and again, and they might be read by a descendant even a century later.
*From Me to You* will make it easier for you to initiate communication that will connect you more deeply with those around
you. The example messages will show you how, and the accompanying stories of their success will contribute inspiration.
3896102
There is always some occasion or another to tell someone thank you.  Be is someone you have known forever, or even someone you just met, a simply thank you can certainly go a very long way.  Not only does it make the person saying it feel good, but it can also make the person hearing it happier than anyone may ever know.  It just feels good sometimes to be appreciated, so having something on hand to elegantly get that message out in the written form is a very good idea.  I ended up running across these lovely thank you heart stickers, and was very happy for the opportunity to give them a try free for my sincere opinion.  There are so many varied occasions that my family needs to show appreciation to others, and when I saw these nice stickers I just knew they would make a wonderful more personal touch to any thank you cards or person snail mail letters.  Right away we had some thank yous we needed to send out to a very loving uncle that is always thinking about my youngster having things that he needs for school and day to day that he likes to see him with, so my youngster wrote up a loving handwritten letter, placed a picture inside, and sealed the envelope with one of these lovely heart stickers.  Then we had some birthday thank you cards to send out as well.  I was very pleased with the design of the stickers themselves, and I really loved that they arrive on a good sized roll so you will have plenty of them to spread the message far and wide.  I even thought about keeping a few in the car for those unexpected moments when out and about and I might need to leave a quick thank you for someone who went above and beyond to make someone elses day a bit easier.  These would even look lovely in a scrap or photo book.  A very attractive good buy.
1569580
This book is recommended for parents, grandparents, teachers, and children of all ages.  It was written to show how valuable all the little things that we do and share in life with our families create the adult that we become.  Our precious memories will always remain in our hearts.  It also sends a message of the importance of sharing time with family members.
This book also depicts a time in the past when little things, like canning, cooking, and drinking sodas at the country store were so important to the author. Both of my parents passed away within a few months of each other.  This book helped me relive some of my childhood memories, while healing from my grief.
4810897
This bundle set of letters to my future self is soooo creative and memorable. It comes with 12 envelopes that open up to be letters (so you don't need to put the letters in another envelope) and also comes with 12 stickers on the back so you can stick them onto the envelopes. There are a variety of topics ranging from "These are my roots," "Where I want to go," "All the things I'd like to try someday," "This is what I live for," "It was an extraordinary day," "A promise to myself," "There's no place like home," "A pep talk for the future me," I never want to forget this," "This is a letter about love," and two blank ones. I think these are so great to write and read later on, perhaps 10-20 years later and really reflect on how I felt at the time. I imagine laughing and crying while looking back to my old self! Anyway, this is a great purchase for people who like to write and reflect back.
2788910
I love this book! I put things in it from time to time and I have most of it filled. It makes me smile writing in it because I remember all the great times we have had. I wanted to give it to my boyfriend of 3 years now on our last anniversary, but I want to fill it more before that! So maybe save this for next anniversary. Hopefully he will ask me to marry him by then and I can include things from our engagement!
3053681
A Memory a Day for Moms - is a five year inspirational journal that would make such a meaningful gift. Set up similarly to a day planner, each page as the date, and 5 spots (for 5 different years) to record memories of your children. There are journaling prompt questions, Scripture verses and a brief prayer on each page. What a special book~

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.
4801291
What Philip McQuillan does here is more than pay tribute (in a touching and wonderfully descriptive way) to a man who seems to define "the greatest generation."  He also gives the rest of us the inspiration to pay our own tributes to our own  "grandfather's uncles."  Because, as Philip's touching writing conveys, there are more important reasons to remember people who have touched our lives than if they were a "celebrity" or a historical figure.  Our grandfather's uncles and aunts were the celebrities of our own worlds- the real world.  These good, honorable people deserve to be remembered and their  wisdom, values and joyful anecdotes should be shared widely.  This society can use inspiration and modeling from these good souls- even if in memorandum.
2147188
I enjoyed reading Stefania Shaffer's first book.  It makes you think about people, and how even what seems like a small gesture to you, may have a great impact on someone.  It reminds all of us to think before we act or speak...How do you want people to remember you?
927875
I love the idea of a Prayer Bowl... It is a daily reminder to put names of those in need of a special prayer. After writing their names and praying; then I pray for those whose names were already in the bowl. Thanks.
3941614
This inspired kit includes a few simple tools to help children with a skill that may be one of the most valuable of their lives. I received Thank You Notes For Kids, Cool Projects to Show Your Appreciation for review. When the holiday season arrived and all the weeks of gift making and holiday preparations were nearly finished, I realized how special and appreciated it would feel if I had thank you notes from every person who received one of my hand knitted sweaters hats and socks! I always receive a thank you note from one conscientious person, and I always think how well brought up she is.

Writing and receiving thank you notes can enhance and cement all the relationships we celebrate during the holidays and throughout the year. I have a friend who was selected for a job based on the thank you she wrote after the interview. And I certainly cherish the many thank you notes my grandchildren write.

This kit is small but full of good ideas. Author Noa Livneh taps into children's creativity and love of making things and writing notes to channel their enthusiasm into fun projects. She first talks about the importance of sending thank you cards, and when to send one. She has some tips for what to say, and how to say it, even when we sometimes have to look beyond the gift itself to the good intentions of the giver. The photos in the project section are a little small, but still show some inventive ways kids can use common items like buttons, glitter and old magazines to make very special handmade cards their recipients will certainly appreciate.
3883702
Very cute and a great idea. Only space you write the smallest update about your day so you can just look back for a basic reminder of what you thought was important to recall a year latet.
1995140
When someone can eloquently write about their father's death, finding grace and gratitude in such a difficult time, it definitely makes you stop and think about how you approach your own challenges. This book is filled with beautiful personal essays that are written from a perspective of appreciation, joy, and love. "Sunny Day Worm" especially struck a cord as it reminded me of what it was like to be a child without cell phones, cable television, computers and internet. To take in and enjoy the simplicity of a warm, sunny, summer morning. When you slow down a bit and become present to your surroundings...life can reward you.

Each essay ends with a series of thoughts to reflect upon and the reader is encouraged to keep a journal and may also be tasked with reaching out to someone by sending a notecard. The striking artwork that appears on the cover of the book is done by a Milwaukee artist known as Timo. Three other pieces of his are used to complete a set of Mindful Gratitude journals and notecards that are companion pieces to the book making it easy to interact with the writings and lessons in the book.

I have purchased many sets for birthday and Christmas gifts. I will be buying more books to use as hostess gifts during the holidays and teacher appreciation gifts as well.
3304213
I purchased Linda's book and then attended one of her presentations.  Who doesn't need more resilience in their life? I was stunned and pleased that such a heady subject could be put into plain English, make me laugh, and make me cry.  One story on appreciation (pgs294 - 297) touched me so, that I've put it to use with my family, friends, and community.  It has to do w/ a group writing down on paper what they appreciate about someone.  For my birthday, I did this exercise and had the whole family write on their piece of paper each person's name and then write what they appreciated about each person at the table in 2 lines or less.  I took the pages home, organized them by each family member, and shared them on Mother's Day.  Each person now has their own personal appreciation sheet to fold and put in their purse, wallet, pocket, etc.  So that in good times or bad, they can read it and feel the love.  Or as one of Linda's exercises suggested: glue your sheet to the bathroom mirror, read it daily for a month and then take note of how your resilience has changed.  It is POWERFUL.
3712611
If you enjoy writing actual letters to someone special, you will love this writing tablet and envelopes. I use them in combination with a fountain pen, and thus far, my letters have been very well received and appreciated. So much better than an email or message on Facebook.
4925088
I am a RN and I use this to get ideas of what to write on sympathy cards that I send to the families of patient's that have passed.