Have you noticed that the very worst episode in your life, can be the main theme which defines who you are and a compelling message you want to share with the world.
In January 1997, my father suddenly and tragically died at his home in Texas. Most of what happened during that first week was a blur, but I remember certain things, especially since my mother took photos, which at the time I wasn’t happy about – but forever grateful now— what stunned me the most were stories shared by my uncles – Which I had absolutely no idea about and though grateful to hear them, sad that I didn’t know before my father’s death.
In 2008, I find myself as a funeral celebrant and soon discovered that sons and daughters, when discussing their mum or dad’s funeral also had no idea about their parents past lives… and they also found out something new during the ceremony about their parents … as I did with my father.
I have a very close relationship with my mother, so close she moved to Australia in 2013 and lives with me, I always have thought, I knew a lot about her — 2 years ago I found a photo, which made me realize, I don’t know my mother as well as I thought I did.
For me – This theme of not knowing your parents has been over 20 years in the making. So of course, being a Toastmaster, a speech was written, delivered, edited, reworded – even spoken at competitions, with two wins under my belt.
After the speech competition, I knew there was more to do.
I collaborated with my son and we decided to put together a short video which conveys the message in a different light.