“My advice is... ‘Why wait?’ Tomorrow is never promised.”
She waited.
She was pregnant when her dad was diagnosed with cancer. He chose not to disclose his diagnosis to make sure there was no added stress on her or the baby during that delicate time. Unfortunately, he passed before career broadcast journalist and anchor Lauren Ferrara had a chance to interview her dad about his life.
Celebrating Memories
She explains how weighty the regret was in the coming days as they planned his celebration of life at a local Irish pub. Ferrara thought to call a friend in the business and hired him to set up his camera in a corner of the pub and have her dad’s loved ones tell the stories that made up John Murphy’s life.
Although Ferrara no longer has her father here with her, she and her sisters watch the film every year on his birthday and celebrate his memory through the stories of those who knew him best. She has this touching tribute of her father to share with her daughters when they are old enough to participate in the tradition. And the legacy of John Murphy will live on through the memories of those who experienced life with him.
A Valuable Service
Throughout the process, she realized what a valuable service this could be for families. And shortly after wondering why no one was doing this, realized she had exactly the skillset to make this happen. “If nobody is doing this, I will do it,” she said to herself. The seed was planted and Why Wait Stories officially launched on April 2, 2020—on what would have been her dad’s 70th birthday.
“The stories have evolved and grown,” Ferrara says, as she talks about the process. She goes to the people and works with them to brainstorm and discover themes in their stories. “I think in pictures and video, and I think I always did."
She spends time with the families in their homes and also as they are doing activities to create a fuller picture of life. Sometimes, she is contracted by the kids or grandkids and sometimes she is contracted by the storyteller. She has commemorated 70th, 80th and 90th birthdays, as well as interviewing a storyteller who was 40 years old.
These stories account for the good times, but also the moments that forged the storytellers and their families, often through trials and tumult. It is a responsibility she doesn't take lightly.
Capturing History + Legacy
As a chronicler of these stories, Ferrara has gained so much perspective. “Some of the people I have interviewed are wildly successful,” she ponders, “but at the end of life, all that really matters is family.” She goes on to explain the highlights people recall with the most fondness are the moments they made time for each other. Often it was the lack of resources that necessitated a focus and value on setting aside time to make memories.
Ferrara has created a space to capture the history and legacy of a life well lived. She is focusing on the intentionality that weaves the fabric of our society—family by family, story by story.
“We’re all going to pass from this life,” Ferrara says. "Ask the questions while there is still time.”
Website: https://www.whywaitstories.com/
Facebook + Instagram: @WhyWaitStories
LAUREN FERRARA
FOUNDER and chief storyteller
Lauren was a broadcast journalist for more than 13 years, reporting and anchoring in Colorado, Tennessee, Nevada & Texas. She’s appeared on CNN, FOX News, and even the Colbert Report. She’s won two Colorado Broadcasters Association awards for feature reporting and received an Emmy nomination for her coverage of human trafficking. Lauren lives in Colorado with her husband and two little girls.