Not one single reader wrote me a letter this month! No consumer tips, no smart living things - boy, was I lonely. Left to my own devices, I unearthed two exciting items that should spark the imagination of all Advocate readers (and writers).

My column actually originated when my mother showed up on my doorstep with a huge carton of old family photographs and other printed memorabilia. Explaining that she was handing down to me the keys as guardian of "the family pictures," she turned and called toodle-e-yoo! as she skipped down the driveway, boarded her RV and took off to exotic parts unknown.

I then envied the freedom that comes with passing along stewardship and felt the full weight of safeguarding family treasures. This box was a very valuable mess. I spent a full day sifting through faces, most of whom I have known only during their older age.

I relived many a moment with my grandmother, who is now 93, as she raised her own baby - baby in tub, baby on pony, baby crying while all the relatives smile, baby with rag curls and big bow. And I relived many a moment with my mother and her babies - ah, the sands of time!

Each one of "the family pictures" whispered to me, "Life goes by so fast - live it." Each one of "the family pictures" drove deep into my heart the realization that our true offering to the succeeding generation is our contribution to the family history. Call it family mythology - an explanation to the younger generation of why, who, where and "how come."

A little over a, year ago, two Austin gentlemen, Bert Brown and Bob Blalock, saw the value of an older person's autobiography and designed a computer software package called "Memories" to make the gathering of experiences easy and fun.

The software is designed for people who are not proficient with either computers or interviewing, so that they can create a document for future generations to cherish. Using 1200 memory-jogging questions, in more than 16 categories, the main events of someone's life can be organized and printed. If desired, the end product can be as fancy as a book, complete with title page, dedication and chapter headings.

When Johanna Huggans of Buda started using "Memories" she thought she knew her mother pretty well. She found that as she sat at the computer typing, with her mom at her side answering the questions, her mother shared unknown things that thrilled her - "things that helped me understand the events and experiences that shaped her and, eventually, shaped me as a person.

"Putting together mother's 'Memories' book made me feel closer to her," says Huggans. Now I understand many more things about the way she feels."

Huggans says that going through the program with her mother was so rewarding she has started another "Memories" book with her mother-in-law, which has given them a closer relationship, too.

"Memories" is available from Senior Software Systems (1-800-423-1228) and costs $79.95, plus $3 shipping and handling. (Senior Software Systems is an Austin based company.) It runs on any Windows or Macintosh computer.

Now, all of you non-nerds take heart. Ask around. A member of your family (grandchild?) will be able to decipher this information for you and help get you started. It might even be fun for a church group or senior club to get the system together and start getting some histories going. Huggans is hoping that both her mother's and mother-in-law's books will be finished in time to be given as Christmas presents for the family.

Senior Software Systems, , Austin, TX 78728.

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