Book Description When her mom passed away unexpectedly in 2021, Joan Bulauitan Gallares returned to her family home to attend her wake and was regaled with stories about her Mama. Joan realized how little she knew about her own mother, especially about the woman she was before Joan came along. At age 48, with the uncertainties brought on by a pandemic, Joan was beset with fears about her mortality. She had a four-year-old daughter of her own and felt it was important for her child to get to know her deeply, not only as a mother but as a person. She started writing her life stories for her daughter to read when she was older. The intention was to leave a legacy, a piece of herself that will live on. As she wiped the dust off the past, legacy journaling-the practice of writing one's personal history as a legacy to one's family-became her way of honoring her ancestors while connecting with her family and reconciling with her own story. Joan created writing prompts and developed her approach to legacy writing in a practice she now calls Lifescribing. These prompts were shared in writing circles as well as dinners with family and friends, which became animated with recollections of the past, often accompanied by laughter and tears. Unlike other legacy writing guidebooks, which are composed almost entirely of prompts, this book is filled with stories lifted from Joan's own Lifescribing. It was meant as a writing companion, so that even if you are doing the practice alone, you will know that, somewhere in the world, Joan and the rest of the Lifescribing community are taking this nostalgic journey with you.
Book Description When her mom passed away unexpectedly in 2021, Joan Bulauitan Gallares returned to her family home to attend her wake and was regaled with stories about her Mama. Joan realized how little she knew about her own mother, especially about the woman she was before Joan came along. At age 48, with the uncertainties brought on by a pandemic, Joan was beset with fears about her mortality. She had a four-year-old daughter of her own and felt it was important for her child to get to know her deeply, not only as a mother but as a person. She started writing her life stories for her daughter to read when she was older. The intention was to leave a legacy, a piece of herself that will live on. As she wiped the dust off the past, legacy journaling-the practice of writing one's personal history as a legacy to one's family-became her way of honoring her ancestors while connecting with her family and reconciling with her own story. Joan created writing prompts and developed her approach to legacy writing in a practice she now calls Lifescribing. These prompts were shared in writing circles as well as dinners with family and friends, which became animated with recollections of the past, often accompanied by laughter and tears. Unlike other legacy writing guidebooks, which are composed almost entirely of prompts, this book is filled with stories lifted from Joan's own Lifescribing. It was meant as a writing companion, so that even if you are doing the practice alone, you will know that, somewhere in the world, Joan and the rest of the Lifescribing community are taking this nostalgic journey with you.
