Afraid of Losing Your Family's Stories?
The reality is that if you don't take the time to preserve your parents' and grandparents' stories, they may disappear faster than you think. The details—names, dates, locations, and the little moments that brought meaning to their lives—can fade with each passing year.
You might remember the broad strokes of what they once shared: where your family came from, what life was like in a different time. But without a written or recorded history, those memories become harder to access—and almost impossible to pass down to your children or grandchildren in a meaningful, lasting way.
I often write about how knowing our family history can strengthen identity and deepen cultural understanding. And that's still true. But today, I want to focus on something else.
A form of personal growth and development.
When we ask questions and listen to our relatives' stories, we often discover pieces of ourselves we didn't know were missing. For example, learning about your grandmother's resilience during a challenging time, or your father's quiet act of courage and how that shaped your parents' future may give you insight into your own life.
These stories have a way of widening our perspective; they can shift how we see our own challenges and help us find our inner strength. Understanding where we come from gives us context. It helps us make sense of our values, our decisions, and even our relationships with others.
A way to grieve—and to honour those we've lost.
Preserving a loved one's stories can be an emotionally healing act. It allows us to hold onto something real and tangible after they're gone. Hearing their voice again—whether through an audio recording or words on a page—can be both comforting and cathartic.
People often tell me that working on a family history project helped them process their grief. It gave them a sense of peace, knowing that their loved one's legacy wouldn't be forgotten. That their memory wouldn't just live in a photo frame but instead in the stories they shared before they passed.
A reason not to wait any longer.
If you're afraid of losing your family's stories, don't let that fear turn into regret.
Here are some simple steps you can take today:
Ask a family member about their childhood
Record a phone conversation
Label the backs of old photos
Write down any stories you do remember
Or, if it feels overwhelming, ask someone like me to capture these stories for you
I understand that life is busy. Many people tell me they want to do this but don't have the time, or they're worried they'll do it "wrong." But you don't need to do it all yourself. There's no perfect way to preserve a story—only your way and the important thing is to start.
The stories are there, waiting. Let's make sure they're not lost.