The stories that say everything.
We often think we need a full memoir to understand someone. But more often, it’s one story, the kind that gets told over and over, that says everything. It’s the one about how your grandmother met your grandfather cooking his favourite snack that she discovered through asking around. Or how your older cousin used to sneak treats to you after dinner. Or how your Tatay always whistled when he was nervous.
These are the quintessential stories. They carry the essence of a person. The values they held. The way they loved. The way they lived.
You’ll find them everywhere, in whispered memories, in the scent of a dish, or in the sudden return of an old family phrase. And you’ll certainly find them when you take the time to listen to the stories of your loved ones.
What One Story Says About a Life
At Root & Seed, we’re lucky to hear countless stories that reflect not just people but who they are at their core. Through our interviews and podcast episodes we’ve learned:
Hollie Ha reflected on what she learned about her father, Sinh Ha, in the article “Holding Space for Heritage.” His stories of displacement and rebuilding painted a picture of the backdrop to his formative years in Vietnam, yet his ability to notice small, peaceful moments like climbing the star tree with friends, revealed his ability to find beauty and connection, even amid chaos.
Misshka Guptaa embraces all the parts of her identity and intersection of being South Asian and queer, contributing to the larger narrative and ongoing dialogue in “Celebrating the Culture of Pride.” It’s the challenges and growth that Misshka experiences through telling her stories, all the while honouring her heritage and where she comes from.
It’s his dedication to storytelling and amplifying stories that has us admiring the essence of podcast guest Michael Levine. After the moment he discovers a long-lost branch of his family in the Netherlands, descendants of his great-grandfathers’ brother, it led him to Isaiah Rotenburg, a relative who resisted Nazi oppression and protected employees during the 1930s. This led to Michael’s pursuit to bring this story to a wider audience.
What’s “The Power of a Name?” Ghadah Airawi can surely tell us. It’s when she accepted her given name, fully, that it symbolized an embracing all of all her parts, best captured in this quote:
“I am a citizen of the world. I am my own unique being. I decide who I am and get to choose how I identify myself.”
Two days. A lifetime of stories.
Around Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, we’re reminded that the most meaningful gifts aren’t always bought. They’re remembered, retold, and passed down.
This year, consider gifting a story.
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Ask your mom about a time she felt strongest.
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Ask your dad what his favourite childhood smell was.
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Ask your grandmother what no one ever asked her.
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Tell your dearest friends a piece of advice your mom used to tell you.
“I didn’t know what my mom had lived through until I started asking questions. Suddenly, she wasn’t just my mother—she was a whole woman with her own journey.” - Nancy Lam, author & Root & Seed podcast guest
Do you have a story that captures the essence of someone you love? Maybe it even changed the way you see and remember them. Share in the comments below!
