The Gordon Family Heirloom Project: Preserving What Nourishes Us

Last fall, I read The 5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom. In it, he explores areas of life that make us wealthy in ways that matter far more than money alone: time, social, mental, physical, and financial wealth. Of all of them, time wealth resonated with me the most.

As I age (and I grant you, I’m only 30 and thankfully still feel young and vital), I’ve become more aware of the fragility and ephemeral nature of time. I’m deeply blessed to have an intact family of origin. My world has always revolved around family — it takes primacy above all else in my life. It grounds me, nourishes me, and brings me joy beyond measure. 

I’ve also always been curious about my family history. Where do I come from? Who do I come from? Why do we do the things we do? I spent countless hours poring over family albums and even took on the not-so-fun task of scanning old photos to digitize them. Ever the curious one, I’d ask my parents about this relative or that relative. Sometimes they had answers — and often they didn’t, because the knowledge had simply died with people.

That realization, paired with the understanding that time is finite, sparked the idea for what I now call The Gordon Family Heirloom Project.

So what is the Gordon Family Heirloom Project?

Over the course of the next year (or however long it takes), I’m interviewing my parents about all aspects of their lives — and tracing their stories as far back in their family trees as we can go. Though Gordon is my father’s surname, the project captures both of my parents’ lineages.

My mother during one of her interview sessions.

My intention is simple: to understand who they are at a deeper level, and in doing so, understand more about myself. I come to these conversations with many, many questions — and then I let them speak. I listen. I write. I allow whatever wants to surface to surface.

Connection is a vital part of our health. Primary Food is the foundation of our wellbeing — the elements of life that form the bedrock of our values, purpose, and sense of meaning. Connection, creativity, heritage, and belonging are essential parts of that nourishment.

This project involves countless hours of sitting, listening, focusing, engaging in meaningful conversation, and writing. It’s a different kind of nourishment than anything else I do — quieter, deeper, and profoundly grounding.

This project feeds parts of me that supplements and routines never could. It’s never meant to be public or forward-facing. It’s something to be preserved for future generations — for those who want to connect to their roots, and to themselves, in the same way I’m trying to now.

If someday someone down the line feels a little more anchored because of this work, I’ll feel deeply grateful to have been a small part of that chain.