Everyone Has A Story Worth Telling: Mother’s Day Edition

Preserve the Stories, Memories, and History of the People You Love

Everyone Has A Story Worth Telling:
Mother’s Day Edition

In This Newsletter:

Mother’s Day: The Gift of a Backstory (for a mom in your life)
Backstory News
How to Talk to Your Elders
Collaborator Spotlight: Kit Pappenheimer

Mother’s Day: Make It One for the Books!

I wish I had asked my mom more questions.

I don’t know much about the day I was born, for example. The only detail I remember being told is about the hospital: Although my parents had made the physical move to suburban New Jersey, their hearts were still in New York. Bridge traffic be damned, they were determined that I would be delivered at St. Luke’s Hospital in Manhattan.

But that’s about it. I don’t know how the day unfolded, or how my mom felt rushing over the George Washington Bridge while having contractions, or what it was like when she drove back home to my four-year-old sister Elana and a newborn. I wish I did.

This Mother’s Day, I’ve been sitting with this reality. And it gave me an idea of something to offer for those of you for whom it’s not too late.

My offering: The gift of a guided conversation that captures your mother’s memories and stories, delivered as sweet 7x7 keepsake book. We’ll build on these three questions I ask your mom:

What do you remember about your own mom?
What do you remember about life with young kids?
What has motherhood taught you?

After you give her a gift certificate on Mother’s Day, we can get started. Like all Backstory books, I’ll handle everything: writing the story, laying it out with a cover and photos, and printing. It’s a sweet and thoughtful gift that she’ll always remember.

Order it today! Discount through May 8th

“The story is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for putting this missing piece of history together for myself and my family. Thank you again for your sweet attention and this beautiful gift that YOU created. ADDITIONALLY, the loveliest parts is that it came from my precious, wonderful daughter.” — Karen F., Backstory client

Backstory News

I’m excited to be a guest on Spark Me, a podcast for women navigating life in interesting ways. The format is like a heartfelt conversation among friends. Past guests have included leadership experts, therapists, wellness educators, and ordinary women with extraordinary stories. And now — me! I’ll be sitting down with hosts Michele and Liz to talk about why stories matter.

The episode will drop May 6.

Talk to Your Elders!

Lots of people tell me they want to know more about their parent’s lives, but find asking a bit awkward and uncomfortable. My advice is not to frame it as a weighty and serious discussion about mortality. Instead, initiate in a way that feels natural and even fun, based on your inherent curiosity and wanting to connect on a deeper level. Here are few ways to make it flow.

Collaborator Spotlight:
Kit Pappenheimer

Kit Pappenheimer is an end-of-life doula and legacy coach. We met as singers in the Threshold Choir, where we sing to people at the end of life. In her work, she supports people through one of the most profound transitions there is. She is the person you want by your side — so smart, compassionate and real. I’ve experienced her work through Death Cafes, which she hosts, and they have been pretty profound. “This isn’t about dying,” she says. “It’s about finishing life on purpose.”

Learn more about Kit

Explore a Backstory for yourself, as a gift, and read past newsletters here. Thanks for reading and passing along.