Before I clicked ‘play’ and heard ‘The Words of Our Parents’, I was expecting some sort of confession about how irritating parents really are. That is not what this piece is. The producer, Grace, does a beautiful job putting together this vox-pop piece, which is more like a conversation than your average vox pop. By asking only one question in the beginning and stringing on answers from various people, Grace puts together little nuggets of insight in a very powerful way. The casual style of the piece – no copy, just cuts – makes its messages all the more resonant with the listener.
This piece is a reminder to take the words our parents say to heart. While listening, I was transported to some different place reminiscent of the safety that only parents can give. There are mixed anecdotes of things parents have said, some hurtful, some true, but overall the wide variety only supports the idea that parents wish the best for their children.
One thing I felt would enhance this piece is a follow up. Such a follow up might be to ask the same question that Grace asks to the parents rather than the children.
This is a flawless piece, in my opinion; it turns the little things our parents say into perhaps some of the biggest wisdom of our lives.