A Birthday, A Pandemic, A Legacy Preserved

It all began with the intention to celebrate a milestone birthday of a parent.

A Seemingly Simple Request
The son contacted us to ask us if we could help the family create a memento. The request seemed simple: “We want to create a book about our parents’ life. Nothing complicated, not a biography, just something that we can hold on to and celebrate.”
But when the life in question has been on this earth for a centenary, how can it be simple storytelling? To chronicle a 100-year journey in a few months! We knew telling this story would require more than just back and forth of emails. So we got to work. We sat with the matriarch, the children, the grandchildren, the relatives, the extended family, friends, colleagues. We listened as they laughed and cried while sharing anecdotes. We often had to read between the lines too.

Obstacles – Every Good Story Has one or Few
In life and in storytelling, challenges arrive unannounced. This book’s release had been scheduled for 2020. But then, a virus took the world by storm and life as we know it changed. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the plans. Naturally, health concerns and the safe distancing rule made face-to-face interactions tricky.
That’s it, we thought. The project was not just stalled, but over.
However, hope did not let us give up. We found ways around obstacles and slowly but steadily the project revived itself.

Triumph of Human Connection
Neatly tied up, the books were sent to family members across latitudes and longitudes. We were not quite ready for the reactions we received. The stories, the photographs came alive, connecting uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews. Suddenly, conversations were being had at the dinner table. Forgotten memories were shared over phone calls and promises to reunions were made and fulfilled. The Human Connection had triumphed.

Enduring Lessons
Today, the parent has outlived one child. Yet the journey has endured. It has put into motion more celebrations. Milestones have followed, but this time, everyone paused and participated. Because that is how life is meant to be lived.
Each family’s journey is unique in its own way. But a common thread runs through all of the stories – the desire to acknowledge the sacrifices that were made, to celebrate the achievements and to reclaim what was once lost to the vicissitudes of life: the family bond.
Each book has taught us a lesson. From this one we learned that everyone needs a ‘still point’ where restlessness is paused. Memories, connections, and simple joys are let in.

There is much to be said for the lightness of being present in the moment. It endures, sustains us during the toughest of times. What more can one ask for?