Betsy C. Baker loves to write. After her husband, David, died, the time was right to create a memoir. Holding Fast combines Betsy’s memories of childhood, her high-profile careers, marriage, family illness, death and loss with her imaginative creative fiction. Through its straight-talking, compelling stories told as truth and fiction, we are reminded to “hold fast” to our family history and memories. It was our distinct pleasure to create this book with her!

I remember her in a wheelchair, fully dressed every day, in that big apron with the pockets on the underside where she kept her snacks and her .32 pistol. When I was three or four years old, she was my babysitter while my mother was at work. She was also my protector when I misbehaved.

I’d called Ron to check in – we were in the first months of COVID. I’d worked closely with him and his cousin, Barry, the year before on an extensive family history book. Ron replied with an email, which included …

“Legacy” is following me. I see it everywhere – in emails, conversations, podcasts, articles. And legacy is not being at all sneaky, but making itself known at every turn.

“So, Jiffy, how do I work with you and Pixorium?”

Someone asked me that question recently. Someone I was sure knew the answer. Wow.

If he didn’t know, then I had explaining to do!

“Help me find my story. I’m not sure I have one.” Yes, you do. They’re hard to see in your own life. I often hear, “Really, what have I done? I’ve just lived my life.”

Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s: These are the times that families get together and tell stories. But conversations with family members can sometimes stay on a superficial level; it can take a few storytelling, memory-sharing, history prompts for family members to get to the good stuff.

A photo story is more than just photos in an album, digital or otherwise. It’s more than just a photo book, though a photo book can be used to tell a photo story.

During big gatherings, grandparents can often fade into the background. To keep the conversation going as a group and share the moment as a family, consider asking some questions about the family history.