Bob Becker's Senior Center Memoir Class's 2nd Book

Bob Becker's memoir workshop, at the Bethel Senior Center, recently celebrated the launch of its 2nd book. Over the workshop's 6.5 years of meeting every week, the memories keep coming and getting richer, deeper and more profound. The book offers stories of gratitude, funny remembrances, resilience, forgiveness and hope. The 2nd book is available at The Bethel Senior Center, but quantities are limited. It's a worthy read and may help to loosen some of your own stories.

Over these 6+ years, aspiring memoirists joined Becker's workshop with little to no writing experience, only a desire to "give-it-a-try". Much to their surprise, and delight, each in their own time and comfort-level began to express little long-forgotten remembrances. Like time release capsules, more and more memories began to open-up. From the beginning, Becker's guidance and facilitating focused solely on writing; not grammar, not spelling, not judging and definitely not critiquing. His goal was to remove any obstacles and to enable people's story-telling. With that approach the groups productivity blossomed. In this safe and trusting environment all gave themselves permission to become active memorists and this 2nd book attests to their productivity. Over the years, workshop attendees became warm acquaintances and then trusted and caring friends.

One budding memorists wrote: Bob's process gently guided me to create my memoirs. Looking back I had always been very hard on myself and felt in many instances I should have done things differently. Remembering chapters of my life helped me realize I had done a far better job than I gave myself credit for. I actually lived a pretty awesome life." - Judith O

Another wrote: I regretted not asking family members long ago how things were in their lifetime; their stories and their history. Now I'm sharing my life's experiences with my family, letting them know who I am and where they came from." - Linda P

In addition to helping people write their memoirs Becker's "I WANT YOU TO KNOW" offering works with people of all ages to videotape them telling their stories and sharing heart-felt messages with their children, grandchildren and for generations to come. Becker calls these offerings "Living Legacies". These digital memoirs become priceless family treasures. For more information: www.iwantyoutoknow.net or call Bob at 203 743-7313

www.bobbeckercommunications.com