Sample questions for a gift journal:
- Make a timeline of the major events in your life.
- Where, when and to whom were you born? Have you heard and stories about that day?
- How would you describe your father, [name]? What stories have others told you about him?
- How you do you remember your mother, [name]? What have others told you about her?
- List your siblings and write some memories you have of them. What kind of relationships did you and your siblings have when you were kids?
- What kind of house did you grow up in? What are some memories you have of living there?
- What was your community like? What did you like or dislike about growing up there?
- Did you have any toys that you were especially attached to when you were a child?
- Did you have any special pets when you were young?
- Do you remember spending time with your uncle and aunts? Share memories about them.
- Tell about the adventures you had with your cousins as you were growing up.
- What kind of chores did you have as a child or teenager? How did you feel about these responsibilities?
- Record a story that comes to mind when you remember your childhood.
- How did your family celebrate birthdays? Which of your birthdays do you remember most clearly?
- How did your family spend Thanksgiving and Christmas? What are some of your favorite holiday memories?
- What are some traditions your family had when you were growing up? Would you like to see these passed down to your children?
- Describe the schools you attended. Who were your classmates? Did you have a favorite teacher or subject? What were you like in your school days?
- Tell about a time when you got into trouble. How were you disciplined?
- When you were a child or teenager, what were your dreams or goals? Were these realized? Why or why not?
- Did your mom and dad tell you stories about their past? What do you remember them telling you?
- Did your parents or others give you any “words of wisdom” that have stayed with you over the years?
- Did you know your grandparents? What do you remember about them? What have others told you about them? [I made a separate page for each set of grandparents.]
- What does your [ethnic] heritage mean to you?
- What role did the church play in your upbringing? How would you describe your parents faith?
- How did you come to faith in Christ? In what ways has God caused you to grow since then?
- How would you describe yourself as a teenager?
- Tell about your involvement in music and athletics.
- How did you learn to drive? What kind of vehicles have you owned and which were your favorites?
- Do you remember any figures of speech that were invented and used by your generation?
- Which clothing styles were fashionable when you were a teenager? What do you remember about pop culture in that era?
- Which national or world events stand out in your mind? Where were you when you heard about them, and how did the news make you feel?
- When did you first vote in an election? Who was running?
- How do you feel about being an American?
- How did you end up at [your college]? What did you gain by going there?
- Tell some stories from your college days.
- What do you remember about the Vietnam and Cold War eras?
- When did you join the military? Describe this period of your life and how it has affected you.
- What did you do when you graduated from college and got out of the Air Force? What was this stage of life like for you?
- How did you meet [your future wife]? What attracted you to her? How did your relationship develop?
- How did you know she was the one for you? How did you propose? What do you remember about your wedding?
- What have you learned about marriage since then? What have been your greatest joys and challenges in marriage?
- Describe each of your children and record some of your memories of them.
- How did you choose names for your kids? Do you know where your name came from?
- What physical characteristics and personality traits have your kids inherited from their parents? Do you ever remind yourself of your parents?
- Tell about your experiences in becoming a father? How did life change for you? What have been the greatest joys and challenges?
- Explain how you became connected with [the town you settled in]? How did you end up moving there?
- What land did you farm in Montana? Did you have a favorite piece? How did you build up a farm? Describe the relationship you have to land and farming.
- Tell some stories about some of the people you’ve employed over the years.
- What are some of your favorite memories of farming?
- What are some things you did with or for your children when they were little?
- Tell some stories that happened in the life of your young family.
- What was the farm house like when you moved into it? How did you transform it over the years?
- Which churches have you attended in your adult life?
- How have these contributed to your spiritual life?
- Which Bible verses have been meaningful to you in different stages of your life?
- Which individuals have most influenced your life? How?
- What kind of music do you enjoy, and have your tastes changed since you were younger? Which songs or styles hold special memories for you?
- What TV or radio shows did you enjoy when you were a kid, and what do you watch or listen to now?
- What kinds of books do you read? Do you have a favorite book?
- Which periods of history do you find most fascinating? Why?
- Where have you traveled in your life? Tell some stores from your memorable trips.
- In the course of your life, who have been your closest friends? What stories come to mind when you think of them?
- Explain how you and your family came to Minnesota? How has this affected you?
- Tell about the construction of your new home.
- What are your interests and hobbies? How have you developed these interests?
- What are your favorite foods? Which foods do you associate with your mom, your wife, or your heritage?
- What makes you laugh?
- What do you worry about?
- What are you looking forward to?
- What are your greatest personal strengths and weaknesses?
- Tell the story of an embarrassing moment.
- Have you ever seen or met a famous person? If you could meet someone from the past, who would it be?
- What are your most prized possessions?
- Which inventions have most changed your life? Is there anything normal today that was a novelty when you were younger?
- Are people today the same or different that they were when you were younger?
- The world has undergone many changes since you were younger. Which changes do you find most interesting?
- How would you describe your personality? Do you have any oddities?
- Looking back on your life thus far, what have been some of your happiest and hardest times?
- Which personal accomplishments are you most proud of?
- If you could re-do parts of your life, which parts would you choose?
- When you love someone, how do you express it?
- How do you handle conflict?
- What advice would you give to young people today? What lessons would you pass down to your children and future generations?
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