Overeager dogs. Aloof cats. Talkative birds. Serene fish. Or something more exotic, perhaps? Think back ... Pets have a special status as members of our family. Which pets were your favorites? What do you remember about them? Are you a dog person or cat person? Share your pet stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

Poetry (as poet Marianne Moore put it) can offer us "imaginary gardens with real toads in them." Think back ... What's the earliest poem you can remember? What's your favorite poem and why? What poems can you recite from memory? Have you written poetry? How has poetry affected your life? Share your poetry stories forward. Start Writing

Many children have special relationships with one or more grandparents—and vice versa. Think back ... to your own grandparents; what made them special? What would you like others to know about them? What's it like to have your own grandchildren? How would you like them to think of you? You must have a hundred stories about grandparenting. Share them forward! Start Writing Read Stories

Despite our disdain for convention, we were always fashionable—from coonskin caps, blue suede shoes, and poodle skirts to gogo boots and miniskirts. We pulled on pantyhose and dreamed of dancing in our Maidenform bras. Then we burned them. Think back ... Bell bottoms, polyester, peace pendants, tie-dye—our style choices defined a generation. Share your fashion adventures forward. Start Writing Read Stories

Life is rarely linear. Think back ... to when time seemed to stop. It stands motionless for a moment, a day, a week—who can tell?—then teeters, while a life, a family, a venture, a nation hangs in the balance. Then it falls—to one side or another—and the world changes. As we usher in the New Year and MyRetrospect.com winds down, share your turning point stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

As children, gifts seemed magical to us. Think back ... What's the earliest gift you remember? What's the best gift you've given or received? What's the worst gift you've given or received? Do you enjoy shopping for gifts, or is it a burden? What's it like giving gifts to grandchildren? Is it more blessed to give or to receive? Are gifts still magical? Share your gift stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

We all want to be home for the holidays, but what does that mean? Think back ... Why did you settle where you did? How did you choose your home? Have you bought,  rented, built, or renovated real estate? How did that work out? Have you ever been homeless? What sights, sounds, tastes, and smells remind you of home? What was it like to leave home? Can you go home again? Share your home stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories