You're about to give someone a very special and personal gift... Your voice, Your recollections, Your thoughts. The main thing to keep in mind is...

Whatever you say, the act of phoning and recording means a great deal to the recipient - contributing to this keepsake is itself a powerful statement. Just phone-in and be yourself.

Whatever you say will be appreciated, but recipients have told us that a congratulatory wish is always nice, a heartfelt sentiment is better, and the most special messages are those that involve a meaningful memory, thought, or story.

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind:

• Don't try and limit yourself. You can talk as long as you want, and call in as often as you want - up to 30 minutes at a time. The hosts aren't paying per minute, or per call, so you don't have to rush.
  
  
• What you say doesn't have to be earth shattering. Your voice and your comments will gain significance and meaning with the passage of time.
  
  
• Put yourself in the shoes of the recipient and think about what kind of recording you would like to hear.

Here are some sample conversation starters:

"A quality about you that I really admire is..."

"A story about you that always makes me smile is when you..."

"A story or joke that I think you'd appreciate is..."

"You are unique because..."

"Something you did that made an impact on me is when you..."

"I call you my friend because..."

"Always remember that you are.... "

"You are special to me because... "

Other things that might inspire you

What experiences have you shared that you find special?

What private jokes or meaningful songs do you share?

Where do you see them in the future?

What was your first impression of them?

Some General Tips

• If you find it easier to talk with notes, jot down the major points that you want to mention before you call in.
  
  
• Spontaneous "I just remembered" calls are nice. Call early and then keep the LifeOnRecord number close by, and if you think of something else, just call in again.
  
  
• When you call, if you ever want to start your recording over, just press the # key on your telephone. You'll be given the option to re-record your message.
  
  
• If you called and left a message, but you later decide that you want to delete it, contact your coordinator. Your coordinator is the person who sent you the email or letter asking you to call in. They have the ability to listen to the messages as well as delete them.
  
  
• If you're worried that you missed the deadline and have any questions about whether you can still call in, contact your coordinator. They are the ones that decide when the CD gets created, and they will know if you can still call in.

Finally...

You've been invited to call because you're someone special in the recipient's life. That's pretty neat! Bask in that knowledge, be yourself, and have fun.