Later on August 3rd, Dad and I headed on I-94 from Detroit, past Kalamazoo, and on to Chicago. We were able to keep the top down on the convertible Mustang MemoryMobile as the weather improved, and we handed out LifeBio YoYos at gas stations and other stops along the way. Kids and moms & dads liked playing with a YoYo. Some said it had been many, many years since they had YoYo'd.

In Chicago, we found our way to North Ave. to the Transitions Bookplace & Cafe so I could present a workshop on how and why to tell one's life story. I also covered the topic, "What can we learn from Aunt Betty?" My great Aunt Betty was a missionary to Korea in the 1930s and to the Belgium Congo (later Zaire) in the 1940s. She was ordained and served United Methodist churches in the 1950s. If I ever doodled or failed to listen in church, she was there to correct me. We also shared birthday parties together since her's was February 12th and mine was February 13th. The lessons her story teaches are: women can do anything, get a good education (she did), and hold children to high standards.

During the workshop, we met some incredible people who shared their life stories with us. A good time was had by all. Here are some of the LifeBio questions that participants answered:

What does it take to succeed in life?
Marian Jones writes: 1) A positive attitude; 2) Encouragement and support from others; 3) "Stick to itiveness" - determination; 4) Resiliency; 5) Faith in self and others and in a higher order; 6) Gratitude
Jeff Solotoroff writes: Many of the things you read about in the "how-to" books--having clear goals, vision, and perseverence. But I've also learned how important it is to have friends and family as your support team, to show gratitude, and, above all, to have fun along the way.

Is there something you have always wanted to do that you have never done? What is it?
Aamir Ashiqali writes: Take a year off to go work in a rural, underdeveloped community.

What has life taught you?
Donna Kline writes: To feel safe, I must be secure in myself.

What is your most memorable vacation?
Tommie Parker writes: St. Augustine FL. Because of the person I was with, it probably wouldn't have mattered where we went.

What is your earliest memory?
Linda Diamondson writes: Descending the basement stairs with my father. We had moved into an old house and he was showing me around. In the basement, I discovered the toy giraffe from my old house. It was missing an eye.

Were heading for home tomorrow.