I grew up in an Army family and travelled the world from a young age, and later lived in some very interesting places through some very interesting times. Lots of people have said I ought to write it all down, but it's one of those things - where do you start? A blank piece of paper or screen is a bit daunting, especially when you haven't done anything like that before.
"I was born at an early age.." Oh well.
But when I came across Your Life in a Nutshell, it immediately struck a chord with me. It was as though I was answering questions rather than having to think up chapters for myself, although after a while I got into the swing of things and did start creating my own sections easily enough.
I've got literally hundreds of pages completed now, and it's just as much fun finding the pictures to illustrate the words - I can find some interesting things online to put into my Nutshell, or spend time scanning my own items in on my scanner at home. I got a shop on the high street to convert my reel-to-reel and video films into digital format and put some of those bits up - it all looks so funny ow in a digital age, we were so formal!
When I've done enough of it I'm going to share some of the files with some of my family overseas, my brother went into the Army himself and we don't see each other very often, but I think this will bring back quite a few memories!
It's easy to think you'll live forever when you're young.
But now we have a growing family, we realise it's vital to put our affairs in order; if one of us is taken ill, the other will know where everything is and what to do.
But my grandchildren have been interviewing me on their phones and on video, and now they've recorded my memories in a Nutshell - I can't wait to see it.
Lots of things are hard to talk about - at any age.
But now we've recorded our last wishes we can get on with enjoying retirement together, knowing that those left behind will have greater peace of mind.
