How to Honor Your Deceased Father

One thing we all have in common is that we all have or have had a father. Some father's are abusive, some have been absent in our lives and some are good and memorable. These are the fathers we want to honor, and keep in our heats and minds. I originally got this idea for me and my adult siblings; but it can be done with younger people as well. It also can be done for any loved one. It is a great way to immortalize those special people who one who is no longer with us.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• pictures
• your memories
• memories of siblings and family.
• your imagination and creativity

1. Write a children's book to honor your father. Your book will be a memorial, a visual record that you will pass on to your children, and their children.
2. The book will actually be written by the children. Get together with your siblings and family members and share things you remember about your dad. Take the most meaningful or funny aspects of your father and write a chapter on each aspect.
3. Pull out your family pictures to encourage your memories of boyhood friends, time in the service, hunting or fishing trips, the time he played Santa, etc.
4. Because you are doing a children's book it would be great to have someone in the family who has artistic abilities to draw the pictures. If no one in the family has this talent perhaps you may know a friend who will help with this. If you can find no one in you circle of friends and family who draws, you can consider hiring a student from an art school for a small fee, or just use the family pictures.
5. Remember you are doing a tribute to your dad and every child should contribute equally with ideas and memories. No one is to dominate the process!
6. Once the book is written and pictures are drawn, have some one proof the book for errors and accuracy of events.
7. Once everything is corrected, take you book to a printing company such as Kinkos or if you really have the money and want to go all out you can pool your money and self publish the book.
8. This book will be read to your children, so that they might remember your father. If your children were born after his passing, they will be able to share your memories of your dad. When your children grow up and have children, they will read this book to their children. This will be a legacy for your dad!

Tips & Warnings

• Don't feel pressured, take you time and enjoy the process.
• If you can't get everyone together, work with those who are available and excited about the project.
• There is always one sibling who wants to be difficult. Don't let one bad apple distract you from you main goal to honor your dad.