In honor of National Tell A Story Day, Brownieland’s Robyn Kranz shares a personal reflection on the power of storytelling and its role in preserving family history. Her editor’s note is a heartfelt tribute to her late father, a gifted storyteller whose legacy lives on through the memories he passed down. At Brownieland Pictures, we believe in the power of stories to connect, inspire, and preserve legacies, and Robyn’s words remind us of the importance of capturing and sharing those stories for generations to come.
Telling stories is a tradition as old as humankind. Before written language, we all told stories, passed them down to the next generation to be able to keep certain tales alive. My dad passed away last year and I would count him among one of the best storytellers. His stories were funny, outrageous, and sometimes embellished, but I know so much about his life before I was born because he shared all of the legends, good and bad, with me. Growing up in Southern California, the ninth of nine children, in abject poverty, he led a difficult life. But all of the stories he told always had an aspect of joy or mischief to them. Like the time(s) the rent was due, and he and his mom and 3 sisters “snuck out” in the middle of the night, just a few steps ahead of the landlord who was going to evict them. Or the one where they only had a nickel for the movies, so in order to get back home, they hopped on the moving street car without paying the fare, at age 7, to make it back in time for supper. By hearing these stories, I can paint a picture of my dad and his life, and I know him better. I will pass those stories down to my child and hopefully, to his children someday. Knowing where you come from and learning your history informs your life, enriches your family, and helps preserve your legacy. So ask those grandparents and parents to tell you their stories, and hit record on those iPhones. You’ll never regret the time spent, only the questions never asked.”
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