Stories Project
When a parent dies when you’re seven years old and they’ve been sick for many years, it’s hard to accurately remember them outside of their illness. That unfortunately has been my experience. I don’t remember my dad’s voice or his laugh because he had bulbar onset ALS, meaning his speech was impacted first. He first experienced symptoms when I was around two. Aside from my not being able to grow up with him around, those years I did have with him have therefore not yielded me many memories of him talking or laughing. While I’m sure it occurred, I can’t recall a conversation I had with him or a joke we shared, something especially unfortunate for how many intellectual and humorous conversations he had with friends. I’d like to capture as many stories, jokes, or lessons as I can from people who knew him. I’d greatly appreciate the help. —Sam