You probably don't want to place anything precious or costly in them. You can't include items that belong to another family member or that you are currently using. Over the years, you have probably misplaced or given away some excellent candidates for the capsule. Some items are just too big! So, how about creating a paper time capsule?

Make a list of 10-12 items from your life that evoke memories. You don't have to currently possess each item. Take some time to think about this. Choose items from different time periods—childhood, teenage years, early adulthood, etc. Try to span your entire life. For some, this is not as easy as it sounds. When I started my list, I had a hard time coming up with objects. By the time I got to the end of my list, I couldn't stop thinking of them! Some suggestions for items to include are: toys, mementos, certificates and diplomas, works of art, tools, kitchen gadgets, articles of clothing, crafts, journals, and pets.

It is important to limit the number of items before you begin listing them. This ensures that you think carefully about the value or importance of each thing you include. If you find yourself listing of too many items, it is okay to go back and replace a previously listed item. Don't bother to list them in any special order—just get them down.

Here are some examples from my list: journal from my time in Israel, an aquamarine ring, dirndl (dress) from Salzburg, Girl Scout sash, lock of hair.

Now for the fun part! For each item, answer the following questions:

When did you own it? (Include your age.)

How did you come to possess it? Who gave it to you? Why did you acquire it?

Where did you live when you owned it?

What was it used for?

Did someone else possess it with you? Who and why?

Do you still have it? Is it something you hope to pass on to another family member?

Why did you select it to include in this "time capsule on paper?" Why was/is it special to you?

If you no longer have it, do you have a photograph or sketch of it?

Write a notation, description, history, or story about each item. Don't try to write all these memories in one sitting—it will be overwhelming. Describing one item a day or week is plenty. Our memoir writing group is spending the next several weeks working on our paper time capsules. For the first week, we each made a list and wrote about one item. Just reading the lists to each other was inspiring, but when we read our stories, WOW! Sally Fowler's memories of a family footstool brought tears to our eyes.

Now start your paper time capsule. When you are finished, seal it away with instructions about when and by whom it is to be opened. The great thing about this kind of time capsule is that you can make several copies—one for each grandchild, for example!

Additional Time Capsule Ideas

Ask another family member or friend to write or otherwise record their remembrances of some of the items on your list.

Go further-put together a family paper time capsule. Ask each family member to "contribute" three or four items. If they do not want to write about them, get them to record their memories on audio tape, which you can later transcribe. Bind your memories: a time capsule in a book!

About the author

Cathy's website, Capturing Memories, has many more ideas and resources for Lifestory Writing and preserving memories. For more information, contact Capturing Memories, 9228 SW 209th Street, Vashon, WA 98070, (206) 463-5652, or visit her at www.capturingmemories.com. Email her at stories@capturingmemories.com.