Why I started Life Stories by Ella

There is nothing more painful than losing a loved one, but losing them and never being able to hear their voice or laughter again cuts even deeper.

I lost my grandad suddenly, without having the chance to say goodbye. It quickly dawned on me that I hadn’t had the opportunity to sit with him and ask all the questions I now wish I had. Like many people, I thought I had more time. I never imagined losing him so quickly and unexpectedly.

There are so many little things I wish I had asked. What was his childhood like? What were his favourite memories growing up? Who was his first love? What were his dreams and ambitions? What did he want for my future?

I wish I had recorded his endless stories, the ones I had heard thousands of times and the way he would say “like, you know” with every other breath. He had such a huge personality, and when he passed, it honestly felt like the light went out of my life.

Before my grandad’s death, I recorded a podcast episode with him, and I’m so grateful that I did. It captured his personality so naturally, his humour, his charm, just him being himself. I later edited it into a memoir for his celebration of life.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, but not from sadness. People were belly laughing at his jokes, remembering him exactly as he was. In that moment, it felt like he had never left.

That’s when I realised how powerful it is to capture someone’s voice and story while you still can.

I knew then that I wanted to create something that would help other families hold onto those memories, something they could return to, hear again, and feel close to the people they love.

And that’s how Life Stories by Ella was born.

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