Once you’re decided to consider writing your life story or that of a relative, how do you begin? Several common items or experiences may give you a jump start.

Favorite Recipes: For some people, there are certain long-remembered dining experiences based on family recipes passed down from generation to generation. It’s not just the food; it’s memories of Grandma in her old-fashioned apron singing in the kitchen, the aromas, the expectations. If you are a cook, or have one in the family, consider recording those family recipes and eating experiences.

As a non-cook, I’d never paid much attention to such things, but then my brother and niece reminded me of three of Mother’s recipes that were favorites of both of them. Of course I did not have them, but fortunately, my niece did. I asked her to contribute to last year’s family tribute, so Mother’s turkey stuffing, copper penny salad, and sour cream raisin pie recipes have been preserved.

Favorite Books, Movies, or Music: In a sense, everyone is portrayed or represented by the books he or she reads, the films watched over and over and raved about, the music on I-Pods or home music systems. One of my long-gone relatives read western novels for many years. I have concluded that he always admired the old West and dreamed of being a cowboy to add some spice to his very limited lifestyle. I was too young to ask or even wonder about such things at the time, but why not discuss reading, film, or music interests with your relatives or analyze your own? You may come to some interesting conclusions.

Favorite Possessions: Consider cars, clothes, shoes, even cooking utensils and other things that appear during the average lifespan in a constantly changing progression. Some people keep either the actual items or the memories of them almost forever. What has been meaningful to you or your loved one? How has the passage of time changed the nature and/or number of those possessions?

Diplomas, Awards, and Certificates: Many people save their high school and college diplomas, academic award certificates, athletic trophies, military service medals, workplace awards, and mementos of other memorable life experiences. These items can bring back memories of those important occasions of pride and accomplishment. Can you remember how you felt, looked, or acted at the time?

Collections: Do you or your relative collect spoons, figurines, travel souvenirs? They, too tell stores. I have friends who collect hummingbirds, elephants, unicorns, and cats in ceramic, glass, wood, and any other material possible. And then there are the motorcycle and car collectors. What do these things tell about the collector? I collect both cats and travel souvenirs, and many of them have appeared in my writing.

Photographs: Look at that old album. Older people often recorded some of the events of their lives with everything from baby Brownie photos in black-and-white to Kodacolor. My late mother’s earliest album, now tattered and torn, included her parents, her brother, her favorite pets, and much more. Some of those old photos triggered stories in her on memoir and in my tribute to her as well. Don’t discard those old family photos! My own digital photos continued my mother’s story and make up part of my own.

Hobbies: Why do you or your relative love fishing, carving, writing, computers, scrapbooking, golf, bowling, knitting, crossword puzzles, bridge, quilting, or whatever? Describing one’s hobbies can provide a window into experiences and interests. In a sense, you are your hobbies.

Each of the things I’ve mentioned, and many more, may seem unimportant to the young, but they really make up large parts of who we are. Any one of them can be the key to your or someone else’s life story.