Unearthing Stories, One Call at a Time: Interviewing My Dad

It all started with a simple idea: to preserve my parents' stories, to create a tangible legacy for our family and make a cool coffee table book. I wanted to capture the essence of who they are, beyond just being "Mom" and "Dad." And so, the biography project was born.

My dad was incredibly enthusiastic about the idea. He beamed when I first proposed it, eager to share his life’s journey. My mother, a bit more reserved, was a little less eager, so we decided to start with Dad. Given that my brothers and I live in different parts of the country, this needed to take place via a video meeting.

Every two weeks, the 3 of us hop on a video call with Dad. It’s become a highlight for ust. We take turns asking him questions, prompting him to recall memories and anecdotes that have long been tucked away, although it doesn’t require that much work as he has more stories than we have questions at times.  The resulting conversations have been nothing short of awesome.

We’re learning so much about him that we never knew. We’ve heard about his childhood in the 1950s, the decisions he made as a young man starting his career while also starting a family. 

The great part about these interviews lies not just in the historical details, but in the personal insights we're gaining. We're getting to know the man behind the father figure, understanding his motivations, his values, his decision making and how we ended up being raised in Ann Arbor, Mi.. We’re seeing the world through his eyes, and it's broadening our own perspectives.

It’s been an incredibly rewarding project so far, and we’ve only just scratched the surface. Each interview leaves me with a deeper appreciation for my father and a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity to document his life. It’s a gift not just for him, but for us, his children, and for the generations to come.