Our memoirs are written and composed by Jessica Rios, a prolific letter writer since age five and a memoirist since 2015. She started writing memoirs when a close friend’s parents died, and she told Jessica, “I wish I would have written down more of their stories. Now they’re gone and I can’t go back.” Jessica quickly began writing a memoir for her own father; this was her first, and it sparked a passion that traces back to childhood.

As a child growing up in San Anselmo, California, Jessica had a close bond with her grandparents. When her grandfather died, he left her his collection of pens since he knew she loved to write. Imprinted by her family’s values, Jessica assumed all elders were respected by their families and the wider world.

Eventually, when she realized many elders are treated quite poorly or ignored, her heart broke and she wondered what she could do about it. After college, she served as coordinator of the Senior Companion Program, offering elders relief from loneliness.

In 2015, Jessica decided to “be the change” she wished to see in the world by honoring elders with her lifelong art of writing.

Since then, Jessica has served as a loving presence in conversation with elders, listening to their stories, laughing with them and witnessing their tears. Her goal is to leave them feeling loved and respected — with a genuine sense of assurance that they will be remembered.