Read an Excerpt
Introduction
"What grade did you get in high school English, Dad?" "What did you do on your first date?" Sound familiar? Your son or daughter has probably asked these questions and many more. Why? Curiosity partly, but mostly because they care—about you. They want to know what you did when you were growing up because they want to know you.
That is the purpose of this book, which is a book about you—your family history, your childhood memories, humorous incidents, and meaningful traditions from your life. It is a personal biography just waiting to be written. Yes, there are planes to catch, meetings to attend, grass to mow, and the car to wash, but those are not a legacy you can pass on to your child. This book is.
Presented in a twelve-month format, this journal provides an array of questions your son or daughter might ask with space for your answers. Questions like, "Describe the most fun you ever had on a Fourth of July."
Or "When you went to a ball game as a boy, what kind of food did you eat?" Or "What is the nicest thing you ever did for your mother and father?"
These questions will help you write down the special memories, thoughts, and ideas you want to share with your children. You may choose to complete the journal in a few days, a few weeks, or throughout the course of the year. When you have filled in all of the pages you will have a loving memoir—a spiritual legacy—to pass on to your children. They will cherish this book about you for a lifetime.
This book is for fathers of all ages, because it is never too early or too late toshare your life with those you love. May A Father's Legacy draw you closer to your children as you share this memoir of your life ... straight from your heart to theirs.
Chapter One
Personal Portrait
* * *
your full given name______________________________________________________.
your date of birth________________________________________________________.
your place of birth_______________________________________________________.
your mother's full name___________________________________________________.
the place and date of her birth_________________________________________.
your father's full name___________________________________________________.
the place and date of his birth_________________________________________.
the names of your paternal grandparents___________________________________.
the places and dates of their births____________________________________.
the names of your maternal grandparents___________________________________.
the places and dates of their births____________________________________.
the names of your siblings________________________________________________.
the places and dates of their births____________________________________.
____________________________________.
____________________________________.
____________________________________.
the date and place of your marriage_______________________________________.
the full given name of your wife__________________________________________.
the names and birth dates of your children________________________________.
What is your favorite?
sport____________________________.
Bible verse____________________________.
book_____________________________.
hymn or song___________________________.
leisure activity_________________.
vacation spot__________________________.
dessert__________________________.
type of food___________________________.
author___________________________.
sports team____________________________.
January
Our stories are inextricably interwoven. What you do is part of my story; what I do is part of yours.
* * *
Daniel Taylor
What did you enjoy doing most as a child?
Did you prefer doing it alone or with someone else?_______________________. ._________________________________________________________________________. ._________________________________________________________________________. ._________________________________________________________________________. ._________________________________________________________________________.
Who gave you your name and why?
Did you have a nickname? How did you get it?______________________________. ._________________________________________________________________________. ._________________________________________________________________________. ._________________________________________________________________________. ._________________________________________________________________________.
Describe your childhood home.
What was your favorite room?
._________________________________________________________________________. ._________________________________________________________________________. ._________________________________________________________________________. ._________________________________________________________________________.
