After I'm Gone


I'm reading Then Again by Diane Keaton, a memoir she wrote about herself and her connection with her mother. Diane found journals her mother wrote - 85 of them. After reading the first page it made me wonder about my own journals. I have 15 filled notebooks I started in 1963 right before JFK's assassination. They are dated and most of the pages are numbered.

I also have a box of letters that Bernie and I wrote to each other before we were married in 1958. He was in the Navy and it took almost ten days before I'd get a return letter. Now that e-mails are so fast do people actually correspond? I'm glad I have these letters, but like my journals, who would want to read them? What will happen to them when I'm gone - when both of us have left this earth plane? Will my Son want to cart around all this as he moves, will they be stored in a warehouse? Who would care?

I remember when my mom died, my step father was tossing a lot of things I grabbed. Mom was a noted Amateur Radio operator who received plaques for different accomplishments.

My journals are about my life, healing fears, overcoming agoraphobia, different therapies I've been through, my growth as an astrologer, tarot card reader and much much more. I would like to write my memoirs someday but don't know where to start. Again, who would want to read it? Someone suggested I donate them to a college and I wondered why. One thing I do know is that I'd be delighted if I found journals written by my mother or my grandmother.

6 comments:

Simone said...

I think it's a treasure you have there! I can't imagine nobody would be interested. I would love to read my grandmothers journals! But,I'd love to read yours too, even though we're not related, or live in the same country - it's just exciting! My mother has a friend, whom I've known almost all my life, who I know has fantastic journals, starting shortly after WWII in Germany. I would so much like to read them, but I haven't dared asking...

Jean Maurie said...

Thanks Simone :) Like you, I also love to read journals. However I would like to know what is going to happen to them when I die. Or maybe I shouldn't care. I was just thinking about it because of Diane Keaton's book. What to do with them? I don't expect to croak anytime soon but one never knows, right? Thanks for your comment. Maybe your Mother's friend would like you to ask. It might make her happy that someone cares. What do you think? She can always say no.

Paula Graham said...

Hi Jean,
Ohh how delicious. Maybe you would post an old entry for us to read? Do you go back and reread your journals. I've come across a book called Harvesting Your Journals. Lots of ideas for using old material.
On another topic, what's your favorite Tarot deck?
Paula

Jean Maurie said...

Paula, thank you for joining my blog, I appreciate this. When I am looking for something, like when did we do this I go back through my journals. However I may start doing it more and writing blogs about what I find. The Harvesting Your Journals sounds like a book I would like. I'll Google it.
I like the Voyager Tarot deck, but I am using the Rider-Waite more now because I've been taking courses on The tarot Guild for refresher. It's been years since I studied the cards and the course has been interesting and helpful.
Do you read the cards?

Paula Graham said...

Yes. I took a class with a woman named Thea Bloom when I lived in Chicago. About a year ago I started meeting monthly with two local women to refresh my skills and continue study. We have a blast! One is quite skilled and experienced. What's the Tarot Guild? Paula

Jean Maurie said...

Paula, the http://www.tarotguild.com/ is wonderful site filled with like minded people who love to support each other's dreams. It only costs $25 to join for the year and there are many classes in archive on tarot, social media, etc. The owner Dax and I have a tv show on there on Monday's called Angel Monday's. I pick an angel card and we talk about angels and spiritual things. Dax is interested in EFT and is trying to get me to teach an EFT class. Yikes! LOL Just because it is called the tarot guild doesn't mean it is just about tarot. It is for all metaphysical/spiritual practices.