Because I Want to Know

Because I Want to Know isn’t just a journal—it’s a way to hold on to the stories that make us who we are. A keepsake for parents, grandparents, and anyone whose wisdom you don’t want to lose.

The Questions I Didn’t Ask

One afternoon, Mom, Dad, Britni, and I were riding around when Dad started talking about Popaw—his dad. Popaw was witty, always quick with a funny saying. Dad shared one of them, and I laughed before asking, “Well, what did that even mean?”

Dad paused and admitted, “Ya know, I don’t know. I wish I had asked him.”

Popaw passed away in 2007. That moment left me wishing we had more of his stories, more of his wisdom—more of the everyday details that made him who he was.

Why Family Questions Matter

Since then, I’ve thought a lot about the random questions I ask my parents. Some are small and lighthearted—like their favorite meals growing up. Others go deeper—like how they met, where they got married, or what their favorite date nights were.

I also think about the questions I never asked my grandparents, great-grandparents, and other relatives. Those answers are gone now, and with them, parts of the bigger story of who we are and where we come from.

Rooted in Curiosity

The truth is, these questions do more than fill in family history. They ground us. They give us a sense of belonging. And sometimes, they even offer the kind of guidance we don’t realize we need until we hear it.

Why I Wrote Because I Want to Know

That’s why I created this book. It’s a place to capture those questions—and more importantly, the answers.

You can pass it along to someone you’d love to learn from, or fill it out yourself as a gift for your children and grandchildren. Either way, it’s about keeping stories alive instead of leaving them unsaid.

Because one day, someone will wish they had asked.

Get your copy here: Because I Want to Know