The Times of Jericho, VT: Living Eulogies. Meet Your Neighbor. Share Your Story.

We celebrate our beloved family members, friends, and acquaintances in writing when one of them dies. These obituaries often strike me as effective in sharing who each individual was, however, it also strikes me that it might be as rewarding to share such information while the individual is still alive. 

"A living eulogy celebrates our love, appreciation, and gratitude for someone who has powerfully and positively contributed to our life. As its title implies, it's a form of tribute speech celebrating a person before they die, rather than afterward."                     From the Write out Loud website.

Similarly, I think folks who move to our town, though welcomed by many over time, might be introduced to us and become known to us sooner so that we can better welcome them and introduce ourselves. 

Thus I invite the community to share whatever aspects of their lives in Jericho they wish in postings on this blog section titled The Times of Jericho, Vermont. Think of it as a eulogy* of the living, or an introduction of a (new or otherwise) resident without them having to ask to borrow a cup of sugar. 

  The subject matter can be about historical lives, homes**, and families as well as currently alive people, families, and existing homes. Though the primary goal is to celebrate and introduce ourselves and those that are here today, to each other as community members. Photos are welcome to support the written content.

Have a seat in the big chair and share your story with us!

Share a part of "your story"!

Write about yourself, your spouse, your mom and dad, your sibling, your best friend, or someone you just met. Anyone who lives in Jericho (with their permission and pre-review of the text and photos if any). Then contact me with a draft. I will help with the editing and condensing for clarity and length, then get your final approval before publishing on this blog. At any time you wish to have the essay or article removed, just contact me and I will do so. 

Facts get recorded. Stories get remembered! Author unknown.

People are hungry for stories. It’s part of our very being. Storytelling is a form of history, of immortality too. It goes from one generation to another. — Studs Terkel

Unsure how to start? Try thinking about an occurrence, a hobby, or a good deed done; think of the person's strengths, and what you admire in them, and give examples of such.

Write about yourself. Gloat a little, I am sure there are some things about you that you deserve to shine to us about. What makes your day here in Jericho, what inspires you, and what is your passion?

We are sure to read about you when you die, so why not share some of the good stuff now while you are alive?

The Times of Jericho would like to introduce _____. We are looking forward to reading about and meeting you. Welcome neighbor. 

Looking to connect people with the community.

I will always believe that caring plus sharing equals community.

Bernie

Everyone begins as a stranger, the more time spent talking the more familiar they become. Eventually, they stop being strangers. - Paraphrase from Everything Beautiful is Far Away.

Similar Meet your Neighbor links:

• Think VT: Meet Your Neighbor articles
• The Norwich Times: Meet your Neighbor
• Daily Commercial, Waterbury: Meet your Neighbor
• The Quechee Times: Meet Your Neighbor
• Camille Styles: Six ways to get to know your neighbor (article)

*Eulogy: her/his lifelong collaborator delivered a graveside eulogy: accolade, a speech of praise, panegyric, paean, encomium, tribute, testimonial, compliment, commendation; praise, acclaim, acclamation, raving, homage, plaudits, bouquets.

**View https://jerichovermont.blogspot.com/2021/11/heritage-in-historic-homes-series.html for past articles about some of Jericho's historical homes.

Read more about living eulogies at https://www.write-out-loud.com/living-eulogy.html