THE DIRT ON STORY GREENHOUSE PRESIDENT AND
HEAD STORY GROWER
KC ROBINSON
My second language seems to be the written word. For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to be a writer. So, a writer I became and a writer I am. Magazine articles, newspaper articles, brochures, newsletters, websites, speeches, press releases, advertisements, poetry and non-fiction books filled my writing days. I loved every letter of it, but in the back of my mind, there always seemed to be something missing from the writing profession for me -- an even greater purpose.
THE SEEDMy husband passed away when he was only 43, leaving myself and our two young children with a haunting view of life's fragility, and a new profound knowledge of every moment's preciousness.
When my children would ask me questions about their father -- what did he like to do as a kid, what did he want to be when he was little, did he ever play football -- I realized I always thought he would be there to share his past with them. For many of their questions, I had no answers as they worked to put together the puzzle of who they were. They were children of a man they did not really know. |
THE RAINIn the years that followed, their grandpa, my father, became their surrogate. He was keenly aware of his new role, having lost his own father when he was just 6. He focused on sharing all he had learned in his 75 years, but his time too ran out.
This time, I had an idea. My father and I had the same goal -- to pass on our family's history for the sake of my children. To pass on all the wonderful wisdom he had acquired through his adventurous, colorful, wildly varied and righteous life. I interviewed him and recorded his words. My 8-year-old son very thoughtfully composed and then asked him questions that we captured the answers to. My father directed me to documents, photos, books and mementos that had been a part of our lives for so long, yet myself and much of my family had never known the story behind. As I wrote what he had shared, I came to know my dad in a way that was whole and fulfilling and even thrilling. |
THE SUNThe response of my entire family, my mother, my brother, my nephew, aunts, my children, and other relatives, was of excitement. They couldn't wait to read what my father and I were creating.
My greater purpose as a writer had been revealed. My vision and mission for Story Greenhouse was born. The peace that knowing his story was being captured and recorded was a comfort to us all. Even in his last days, my father had an intense purpose to pass on as much as he could in the time he had left. He enjoyed being able to reminisce and laugh and share. The sense his life would not be lost once he left us was reassuring. Most of all, the unique way he led his life, with grace, humility, humor, strength and faith, has now been captured and preserved. He is with us not only in spirit today, but also in written form, photos and on audio. What a gift to my children and generations to come. I hope you will consider leaving your legacy in the same way -- whether in book form, just a story or two, an audio recording or storied photographs. Even a few memories can give others a picture of your history and where they come from. It is important to carry on. It matters to generations to come. Don't let family history be lost to time. Capture them today. KC |
STORY GREENHOUSE IS A MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PERSONAL HISTORIANS (APH).
Copyright 2016 Story Greenhouse 31103 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite D2-118, San Juan Capistrano, California 92675
Copyright 2016 Story Greenhouse 31103 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite D2-118, San Juan Capistrano, California 92675