Will they know your favorite things?

My husband, Dave, and I just returned from a whale of a great family visit with four generations (ages 1 through 94) on both sides of the family. We shared lots of hugs and laughter and stories, and we ate too much, but we strengthened loving bonds and created memories galore.

Many of us have known each other for decades (for our entire lives in some cases), but we’re still surprised when we discover something new: My mother-in-law loves orange sherbet mixed with vanilla ice cream. Spencer’s passion is screenwriting. Stacy’s favorite color is red. Craig and Jonathan love playing rowdy games with the little kids. My granddaughters adore their Great-aunt Sandra. Glennyce showed her gentle humor when she surprised six-year-old Claire by wiggling her wig (the last time they saw each other, Claire was too young to understand Glennyce had cancer). I treasure listening to my husband and his brothers play cards late into the night and their frequent bursts of laughter.

That got me to thinking. You and I know our favorite things but do our loved ones know? If not, would they be surprised to find out? Shocked? Tickled?

Some of our likes might not make for important family history but they can provide interest and give our readers ways to know us better.

They might even help future generations identify with us and feel a connection to the family. For example, did my grandson, Kade, inherit my passion for collecting seashells?

What are your favorite things? After you’re gone, will your family and other readers know?

These are a few of my favorite things:

a rose’s perfume

a grandchild’s hug

my husband’s pranks

salmon grilled just right

dark chocolate
butterflies

sound sleep

Clare de Lune

Mt. Rainier
sunflowers

African smiles

banana muffins

ripe nectarines

Asiago cheese on hot buttered pasta

bookstores

maps
hot Kenya tea
ferry rides

my old photos

1812 Overture

tomatoes and basil fresh from our garden 
gathering seashells from Puget Sound's beaches 
cardinals basking, crimson, in early morning sunbeams

What are your favorite things?

Make a list and look over your rough drafts for places to add interesting tidbits. Beyond letting your readers know you better, those details will add richness, texture, and enjoyment for them.