In reading my journals this morning, I realized that what future journal readers — my grandchildren, etc. — would probably benefit from is a dramatis personae, an index to the people in my life.

I imagine it as a simple flat list with each person’s name along with a short note on how I know them and any other relevant information — whether they’re a mortal enemy, for example. Or, more seriously, the years I knew the person, any name changes or transliterations, etc.

Building the index will mean skimming through all 10,000ish days of my journal. Whew. Names are easy to spot, though, which will hopefully help it go quickly.