“There’s something special about that smile.”
Margaret Britton had an extraordinary love for people. How do I know? She was my grandma, and when I visited her, she told me stories about the people she cared for. Her neighbors, family, friends, students at Northern, members of her church, and basically everyone she knew had a special place in her heart.
And not just her heart – grandma had a special room in her house dedicated to keeping treasures from her loved ones. It was a room filled with memories and love, and a place she prayed for us often.
After she passed away, I realized that I never heard the other side of those stories. I know there are many people who love my grandma that I’ve never shared memories with. Those moments that are worth savoring and keeping forever.
That is what inspired this project.
Our Vision
We’re collecting memories of Margaret Britton. The stories that are shared will be compiled to create a book about her, the people she loved, and the people who loved her in return.
If you shared a good laugh with Maggie or shed tears together, it’s a moment to write about. Whether you were having a hard time, figuring things out, or swinging on a swing set together as kids, we want to hear what happened. All memories are welcomed and needed to knit the pieces of her story together.
If you have a special moment to share, but don’t consider yourself a “writer” we would love to help. You can e-mail us at sharemaggie@gmail.com to get started. We value your story!
How to Share Your Memory
All stories need these three things to be part of the book:
- Your full name.
- Your relationship to Maggie (co-worker, friend, neighbor, son etc.).
- The year (as close to the date as possible) your special moment happened.
Sending us your story does not guarantee publication, but we will include as many as we can.
When your story is ready, please e-mail it to mbrittonstory@gmail.com. An editor will contact you with any questions they have about your story for clarification, and we will also keep you updated as the book moves toward publication.
You may also mail your story to: Invent Your Story Attn: Margaret Britton Story P.O. Box 314, Greenville, MI 48838. *If you mail your story to us, you must include your phone number so we can contact you with any questions we have regarding your submission.
Your story is important! Thank you for partnering with us in this project. Just like my grandma’s special room was full of pictures, keepsakes, and treasured memories, we hope this book will be filled with moments that reflect the love of a lifetime.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,
Janelle, Julia, Janice & the Team
Questions & Answers
- Can I submit more than one story?
Yes! We accept multiple submissions, but each must be sent separately. Remember to put the date (as close as you can) that corresponds to each story.
- Do you edit the stories?
We offer editing for accurate grammar/punctuation purposes only. If any significant change might be made to your story, we will contact you first for approval.
- How long will it be before the book is published?
After the submission portion of the process is complete, we will be editing, compiling, organizing, and preparing them for print, so we can’t offer an exact date at this time. Please share your story as soon as possible, and we will keep you updated via e-mail.
- Can I submit a photo with my story?
Yes! At this time, we don’t plan to include photos in the book, but that may change. Also, photos may be published on a website or in some other capacity with the book project. Do not submit professional photos if you do not own the rights to the photograph. If you submit a photo to us, we consider your submission as granting us permission to use the photo for the purpose of the book project.
- What if I don’t remember the exact date?
Try to remember what grade you were in, how many kids you had, or how old you were when you connected with Margaret. As long as you have the year, (were you a freshman or sophomore in college?) then you’re all set.
Thank you again for your time, love, and support. This book cannot be created without contributions from people who care, and we can’t thank you enough for the gift of your story. Please share this with your friends and family who knew Margaret Britton, so everyone who knew her has the opportunity to share.
Thank you and God bless you,
Janelle, Julia & the Team