It’s been said that everyone has a story to tell – from tales of triumph and defeat, to life lessons, adventure, love, missed opportunity and more.
And while not all stories get told, those of more than two dozen shared by Semiahmoo Peninsula residents – including that of a woman whose dying wish was to be a published author – have recently been immortalized for all to enjoy.
Those behind Surrey Shares Stories: Connecting Community Through Storytelling say it is an anthology that’s hoped to stir emotions and inspire others to embark on their own journey of discovery.
“A lot of them, it’s about the leaving the stories for the people behind,” project co-ordinator Jessika Houston said of the contributors, during a chat about the book’s recent release on Amazon.
It hit online best-seller status on its first day of sales.
“It really took off,” Houston raved of the Nov. 8 debut.
“We were able to hit three number-ones” as well as take 77th spot overall – “which is really crazy, because there’s thousands and thousands of books on there.”
In the works for about 18 months, the book features 26 stories; most of them written by participants of the Surrey Shares program, an initiative of the Surrey Intercultural Seniors Social Inclusion Partnership Network that launched in April 2020 – shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared.
The idea behind the program was to “connect people who are isolated or lonely, support them while they identify and achieve some of their personal goals and prepare them to share a personally meaningful story on stage.”
READ MORE: Seniors sought for Surrey storytelling program
Initially proposed for seniors, it expanded a year later to include those aged 18 and older.
Houston has described connections formed through the program as life-changing for participants, a number of whom stepped out of their comfort zones earlier this year to grace the pages of a 2024 pinup calendar to help fundraise for it to continue. Without additional funds, its next eight-week cohort, set to begin in January, may well be the last.
READ MORE: PHOTOS: South Surrey seniors’ pin-up project captures ‘unbelievable’ transformation
Part proceeds from book sales – available for $19.99 – will also benefit efforts to keep it alive.
While not part of the original plan, the book idea emerged through listening to participants’ stories, and realizing they had a greater value.
In a foreword, White Rock resident and former MLA Gordie Hogg describes the anthology as exploring “a wide range of human values that connect us universally and remind us to pause and reflect upon our own lives.”
“These stories reinforce the idea that… we hold shared values of diversity, compassion, and understanding. They remind us that our commonalities unite us and that our lived lessons should be shared.”
The contributors, an introduction raves, experienced benefits ranging from relationship breakthroughs and mental-health gains, to figuring out what they wanted to get out of “their ‘next chapter.’”
READ MORE: Surrey storytelling program for seniors expands to include 18-and-older
For some, that has translated into starting a business, or pursuing further education.
“We have a few people, they’ve decided that they want to write their own entire book,” Houston told Peace Arch News. “One person… she’s already at the publishing stage.”
READ MORE: Surrey seniors connect through storytelling on video
Contributor Carla Josephson had a goal to be published before cancer claimed her life. Her story, said Houston, is “all about her cancer experience and how she kind of came to terms with how eventually she would pass.”
Finishing that story – Journey to Home – lifted a weight for the senior, Houston added.
“Even at her funeral they mentioned that one of her greatest joys was that she got to become a published author before she passed away.”
Efforts are underway to get the book – which includes two stories translated into Punjabi – onto local store shelves, as well as into museums and libraries.
Next month, some of the contributors will be at Black Bond Books in Semiahmoo Shopping Centre for a book-signing. The event is set for 1-3 p.m. on Dec. 16.
A book launch, meanwhile, is being planned for early February.
For information, or to order a book, email citysurreyshares@gmail.com or visit Amazon. Calendars ($25) may be ordered at glitterngrace.com