Top of the Heap!

Monday’s Riddle was a tricky poem that got us thinking about where our stories come from. We are giving away three signed books in the Signed Book Giveaway Hop, which all tie into the theme for the week. Lizzy's review of The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco shows us the power of using our own stories in our writing. Friday, we will be showcasing our meeting with Patricia Polacco, and Saturday, we can't wait to hear from you on The DMS Wants to Know. Today, we thought we would share two of the coolest ways we know of to learn the stories of our lives…

This week's top of the heap: The best way to get to know our stories!

Ken Thomas, Wikipedia photo

Fairday: There are so many ways to learn about the stories that tell us who we are. Living so close to Ellis Island for most of my life, it became a magical thread connecting me to family members that I had never met. Walking in to the building, I felt like I could hear the voices of my great-great-grandparents whispering to me about their journey. Because the museum brought the past alive, it made me interested in where I came from and what life was like for my family. I know Ellis Island was badly damaged in Hurricane Sandy and isn’t open to the public now, but I hope its doors will open again soon so others can experience the wonders of history.  ~F

Lizzy's footprint: Day 1

Lizzy: I love to look at old photographs and have my mom, dad, or grandparents tell me stories about the old days. I think that is why I find it so fascinating to go through albums with black and white pictures. The pictures tell their own tales and capture a moment of interest. Nowadays, so many people don’t print out pictures, but I am lucky because my mom has been working on an album about me since I was born. It has journal entries from my mom telling about different events that happened, along with pictures. I love to curl up on the couch and flip through photos and mementos that I don’t remember, but that still teach me about myself. There are clippings of my first haircut, a hospital bracelet from when I got my tonsils out, and so many odds and ends. Keepsakes and photographs help me get in touch with my personal history.  ~L

Each of our stories makes us unique!