What's the Best Way to Preserve My Parents' Stories Before It's Too Late?

One of my biggest regrets is not asking my Aunt Betsy more about her life.

She was a constant, loving presence throughout my life, someone who was always there, ready to gossip and catch up on my life. But I never stopped to wonder about her life before I knew her.

What was her childhood like? What shaped her? Why, as the most loving and beloved kindergarten teacher, did she never marry and have children of her own?

By the time I realized how much I wanted to know, it was too late to ask.

Over the years, I've learned that you don't need a massive plan or a lot of equipment to start capturing your family history. You just need to begin.

If you have an aging parent or relative, here are three simple ways to start today:

1. Keep it manageable. You don't need to cover an entire lifetime in one sitting. Pick one chapter or topic and let the conversation flow naturally.

2. Ask reflective questions. Instead of just asking for dates and facts, try prompts like: "What do you want the next generation to know about you?"

"What was a choice that completely changed the path of your life?"

3. Focus on listening. Give them space to share their perspective without interrupting to correct timelines or add your own memories. Your goal is simply to understand how they experienced their life.

Sitting down with a parent for these conversations can be really meaningful. Sometimes families record these interviews on their phones; other times, they bring in professionals to ensure the project will be completed.

Whatever path you choose, the most important step is taking the first one. Because one day, the questions you mean to ask will no longer have answers.

Have you recorded any of your parents' or grandparents' stories? What question revealed something you never knew about them?