Throughout the year he accumulated words of words of affection, gratitude, and love for her from everyone she touched. He would be more inspired to And he occasionally added some of his own. The Guestbook would come to be a tradition he would present to her each birthday.
She was the kindest person he knew, and he knew others felt the same way. This was the catalyst for The Guestbook.
By keeping up with the effort he started for her 50th birthday, he knew giving people time to find the right words could be captured in the moment.
The guestbook has inspired millions to create guestbooks for their loved ones. It's a celebration of their life, while they are still living.
At his 30th high school reunion, he heard accolades from many of his classmates of how much his father had helped their family.
He created a website to give people the opportunity to start gathering words on behalf of others. It is a gift to know that the work we do truly matters. We tend to focus more on our shortcomings than our strengths. The Guestbook helps refocus on where we have made an impact.
It's simple to start one. Just register the individual and provide the link to whomever might be willing to write words of gratitude.
How has this person positively impacted you? What are you most grateful to this person for? What do you want to say to them before you die?
An ideal time to present this might be their birthday, as a deadline drives action, but it can be anytime you choose. Keep it a secret until it's complete. If there's a picture or two one would like include with their words, the option to upload images exists.
What's in it for the recipient?
It amplifies kindness. It produces a lasting artifact of a snapshot in time when one person made a difference in the life on another. It serves as a reminder of what really matters in life.
Back to my wife, who was the catalyst for the first Guestbook, I have found, if even a subtle way that she's become even more kind than she was before as she now has evidence of the impact she's made and the appreciation others have for who she is. She continues to help more people everyday. She is, at her core, a giver.
In his job as a book marketer, he knew the importance of reviews. The guestbook was his opportunity to gather five star reviews for his wife.
How can you go about contacting the 150 people who are closest to the recipient? Facebook? LinkedIn?
Who do you want to you nominate for a Guestbook?