Not every story starts with “Once upon a time.”
Some begin with a chuckle, a sigh or a simple “Back when I was your age …” The kind of story shared around the kitchen table, during a phone call or while waiting for an appointment.
These aren’t rehearsed or polished – they’re real. And they carry weight because they come from a life that’s been fully lived.
But many of those stories never get passed on. Maybe no one asked. Maybe it didn’t seem important at the time.
But in truth, they are important. These are the stories that carry lessons, laughter and legacy. They remind others where they came from – and just how much someone has seen and survived.
The best part? A person doesn’t need to have climbed Mt. Everest or won medals to have a story worth telling.
Often, it’s the small things that leave the biggest impression – how someone handled tough times, who made their heart skip a beat, what that first paycheck bought, or what life taught them when no one else was watching.
These are the stories that stick. They teach, comfort and sometimes even change a listener’s point of view.
Grandchildren often absorb more than they’re given credit for. They may not always say it, but hearing a grandparent’s voice – or reading something in their handwriting – can become a treasured keepsake.
And it’s not just family. Teachers, libraries and local historians are recognizing the value of firsthand stories, the everyday details that offer a richer understanding of what life once looked like.
Storytelling isn’t just a gift to others. It can be a gift to the storyteller as well. Sharing a life story can lift the spirit, sharpen memory and reveal just how much that life has meant. Looking back often helps connect the dots and highlights what truly mattered most.
Where to begin? Start small. One memory. One moment. One question.
What did their childhood home look like? Who taught them to drive? What made them laugh until they cried?
Whatever the story, they can be told in many ways. It can be written down, recorded or shared in conversation with a friend or grandchild.
AI tools can help shape it into a book or journal. Even a stack of old photos with captions can speak volumes.
What matters most is getting started. Because once these stories are gone, they’re gone for good. And if someone has ever thought, “Someday I should write that down,” maybe this is the sign they’ve been waiting for.
Do you have a story to tell?
Writer, editor and speaker Cheryl Russell is a Laguna Woods Village resident. Contact her at Cheryl@starheart.com.