I interviewed my dad

..and I encourage you to do the same!

My dad is a man of fierce integrity. If you have a principle you should stand by it, also when it’s not convenient for you. He also has a very big heart. He holds himself to high standards but never lectures others. He is in many ways my hero, even though he would probably consider such a sentiment to be “noget amerikansk pjat” (American babble).

He is 80 years old and my son is 1, so there is a risk that the two won’t get to know each other well. This gave me the idea to set up an “interview” with him. Very informal and casual, I wanted it to feel like a regular conversation but where I ask him about his childhood, life and perspectives in general.
This turned out not just to be a very enjoyable experience but also, I learned a lot. There was so much that I didn’t know, about growing up in the Danish country side just after WWII, about his friends and extended family and, in turn, about my own childhood.
I now have a few hours of material and we’re just reaching his teens. I am really excited about this and I am hitting myself for not doing it sooner, and with more people. What I wouldn’t give to have such footage with my mom who passed away two years ago! Or even close friends, or my brother, from 20 years ago! I need to make a habit out of this.

I will never share these videos with anyone other than a few agreed-upon exceptions. I want to make sure it feels intimate and real and I don’t want anyone to be watching their words. The purpose is not to make “content” or anything, it’s to preserve a snapshot of something precious that will some day disappear.

I decided to write this post because I honestly think it’s something many people should consider doing in some form with their loved ones. Maybe in a similar setup, or maybe in a variation. I would love to hear alternative or complementary ideas.