Life’s Too Short: Jennifer Griffith on Legacy, Loss, and the Mothers Who Shape Us
“My dad looked at me [from his deathbed] and said, ‘It just went so fast.’ I asked what did, and he said, ‘Life.’ That moment changed everything—I knew I had to write the book.” — Jennifer Griffith
On this special Mother’s Day episode of Uncorking a Story, I sit down with Jennifer Griffith—host of About Your Mother and author of Both Sides of Then—to talk about motherhood, grief, generational trauma, and the stories that define us. Inspired by a powerful moment with her father just before he passed, Jennifer shares how her memoir became a way to heal, understand, and ultimately honor her family’s complicated legacy. Whether you’re a mom, missing a mom, or just reflecting on your own family story today, this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways:
Legacy begins with truth. Jennifer didn’t commit to writing her memoir until after her father’s deathbed revelation reminded her that life is short—and stories left untold weigh heavy.
You don’t just inherit genetics—you inherit silence. Her family’s secrets around adoption and emotional distance shaped Jennifer’s childhood, and writing helped her unpack what was passed down.
Grief offers unexpected clarity. Being present at the end of her father’s life allowed her to see that, ultimately, all we take with us is love. That perspective now anchors her work and parenting.
Writing in her mother’s voice was an act of empathy. Jennifer wrote parts of the book in her mom’s first-person perspective, discovering parallels between their lives—and healing some old wounds along the way.
Everyone has a story, even if it doesn’t feel big. It wasn’t until an editor pushed her that Jennifer realized her life story—outside of her mom’s—also deserved space on the page.
Understanding your parents helps you understand yourself. Writing helped her reframe childhood pain through a compassionate lens, realizing her parents were doing the best they could with what they had.
The why is everything. Jennifer’s driving force was releasing her mom from the shame of relinquishment—and giving voice to millions of women who were told to forget their pain.
Art finds its way home. After naming her book Both Sides of Then—a nod to Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now—Jennifer wrote a heartfelt letter to Joni explaining how the song inspired her. Months later, she learned it moved Joni to tears, proving that when you create with heart, your work has a way of reaching the people who helped shape it.
Buy Both Sides of Then
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4m1nF1j
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798888455142
Connect with Jennifer
Website: https://byjennifergriffith.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byjennifergriffith
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byjennifergriffith/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byjennifergriffith/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ByJenniferGriffith
Connect with Mike
Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory
Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/
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#MothersDay #UncorkingAStory #JenniferGriffiths #BothSidesOfThen #MemoirWriting #FamilySecrets #MotherhoodMatters #GriefToGrowth #AdoptionStories #WriteYourTruth #AboutYourMother
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