Memories in Color: Four Generations with Erica Fitch
Erica Fitch was 12 when her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Two decades later at 30, she was diagnosed with DCIS: Stage 0, estrogen positive breast cancer when her own daughter was 2. She carries the BRCA2 mutation.
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Unraveling Life’s Threads in Color
Diagnosed as BRCA positive after witnessing her mother battle breast cancer when she was just 12, Erica's life has been a tapestry woven with threads of courage, fear, and resilience. Two decades later, when Erica faced her own diagnosis as a mother, those threads became the framework for a powerful narrative.
Erica’s reflections come alive in her reading of “Memories in Color,” from the 2020 “Family” issue of Wildfire Magazine. In this piece, Erica organizes her life’s pivotal moments through the lens of color — a storytelling device that deepens emotional resonance and provides structure to raw, vulnerable experiences.
The Power of Color in Storytelling
Through scenes from her childhood and adult life, Erica uses colors to give texture to memories:
Green: A walk with her daughter by a vibrant wetland becomes the moment Erica first senses something isn’t right. Green, symbolizing awakening, survival, and knowledge, mirrors her realization and connection to her grandmother’s spirit during this life-altering moment.
Red: The bold color of a bathroom where her mother silently pulled out clumps of hair during chemotherapy becomes a symbol of love, defiance, and tenacity. Erica learns from her mother’s fire, witnessing strength that would later ignite her own.
Gray: A wedge pillow during Erica’s mastectomy recovery encapsulates frustration, loss, and vulnerability. Yet, it also becomes a moment of connection as her young daughter offers comfort, showing Erica how resilience is passed down in unexpected ways.
Black: Her mother’s wig during a church outing embodies fear and mourning, yet also mystery and glamour. The awkward tension of that memory softens through laughter and the comforting presence of her grandmother’s spirit.
Writing as a Tool for Healing
Erica’s narrative demonstrates the transformative power of storytelling. By revisiting these defining moments and anchoring them in color, she found a way to shape pain into something meaningful and beautiful. Writing provided a structure — a container for emotions too big to hold otherwise — and gave Erica the space to process, reflect, and heal.
Color, in particular, serves as a universal language in storytelling. As Erica discovered, even subconscious choices in how we describe memories can reveal layers of meaning and connection. For listeners and readers, it’s a reminder that even the most painful experiences can find resolution and beauty when brought to the page.
We’re grateful to Erica for sharing her voice and vulnerability, and for reminding us that even in the darkest moments, there’s always a spectrum of color waiting to be revealed.
Writing Prompt Inspired by Today’s Episode
Take one of the colors from Erica’s piece and explore what it means for your own story. The colors we talked about were green, red, gray, and black. Pick one of these colors, or another. You could pick purple, blue, orange, or yellow, and see what it holds in significance for you.
Tell a story from your life that includes the color. What does the color mean to you?
Set your timer for eight minutes, write without stopping or editing yourself.
If you find that you write best with a good prompt, check out our free prompts and learn about our writing workshops.
Happy writing! Until next time, take good care.
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