Sacred Moments

There are sacred moments in each of our lives. We build relationships sometimes from these sacred moments. Today I witnessed someone else's sacred moment and they invited me to share it with them.

Recently I have felt an increased interest and a push, really, in my life to do personal histories. (The real challenge will be doing my own!). I have expressed this interest to a few friends and they have been very supportive of me as I want to do this for a job. One good friend has even given me an opportunity.

My friend Danna has a friend who is very dear to her. TerriLyn. TerriLyn has had her cancer come back and it has now spread. She isn't going to make it past this battle. Danna and her husband, as well as other friends, have asked me to help TerriLyn do a personal history. This is an amazing opportunity for me. From the moment it was proposed to me I knew I wanted to do it. I felt I needed to. Today affirmed that need. I will meet with TerriLyn weekly for the next few months as we record her history.

We were especially lucky to be able to start now, as her parents are in town for a while. This morning I sat and watched and listened and prompted as she and her parents talked about her growing up years. Her parents were so supportive. I watched when she sat down by them and grabbed her mom's arm and sat close. As all three of them smiled about happy memories from the past, I almost felt like an intruder. It was wonderful. After I left I had the distinct feeling that a life spent helping others in this way will bless me and enrich my life in ways that nothing else can.

I have always been interested in peoples' stories. For 5 years I worked for the University of Utah in the Special Collections department cataloging historic photographs. As I went through the collections I got to know people, but only part of their story. As I talk with people I get the other half. So putting the two together is like an insight into someone's soul. Their history is what makes them who they are. Each of us have an entire history that has molded us and shaped us into what we are. I feel privileged to be able to help others do this.

If any of you have a friend, family member or feel pushed yourself, let me know. I am trying to start a small business in which I will be a Personal History Consultant. As I get further with TerriLyn and members of my own family I will be able to tell you what I can offer for different price ranges. Thanks for letting me share.

What do you think of "My Thousand Words" or "A Thousand Words and More" for business names. I was just thinking about it on my way home today. Because, you know - A picture is worth a thousand words.