Conversations with My Parents

Before getting into the topic of this newsletter issue, I want to clarify that these letters will not be limited to commentary about our events. The first few, though, may include a little more information about our December 4 event, which is what I’ll do here.

As I’ve already mentioned, we’ll use an informal format in the sessions with my father during that event. I’m hoping the conversations we have on stage show a different side of my father, which is the side I’m most familiar with.

There were five kids in our family, and for a while a sixth who was a cousin of ours, and every evening we sat down to a family dinner. I loved these times together, in part because my parents often engaged us in interesting discussion. My most impactful early education happened around that big round table.

Our conversations were far ranging and included discussion of my father’s work. He came home and often shared his day with us, which gave us a front row seat to the history he was making. I was the oldest child in my family, so my memories of some of that discussion are still vivid in my mind.

I remember, for example, when he came home and excitedly told us he had done research showing he could turn the cancer process on and off simply by toggling between plant and animal protein. I also remember lots of discussion about his research in China. And most of all, I remember the stories he shared about the fierce and ugly resistance he faced within academia, the government, and wherever else he went, especially whenever he tried to share his findings with the public.

Since my childhood, I’ve continued engaging in conversation with my father, as well as with my mother, on all kinds of points. We share similar ethical perspectives, but don’t always agree on everything and challenge each other to think more deeply, which is one of the many reasons I so cherish my time with them.

In addition to a close relationship with my parents, I’ve been on the front lines of the plant-based movement. I was there when the movement first took root and have been involved ever since.

I’ll draw on all of this to prompt conversation with my father at our event that helps to tell the story of his life and research and will also work my mom’s story in when possible because he would not have achieved his success without her. We’ll leave some time at end of these conversations for the audience to participate. And as I’ve mentioned, we'll also have culinary and other instruction, delicious food, walks and other activities, and evening entertainment.

In my next letter, I’d like to share a little more about our latest film, From Food to Freedom (trailer) and share some thoughts about the state of our plant-based movement. This will also give me an opportunity to begin sharing more about our own journey, and what we still hope to achieve.

Nelson