Arthur’s Birthday

For most of my life, Dad’s Birthday meant a summer celebration… barbecue, laughter, maybe a toast or two. And for about a decade, it even meant a giant beach party with Kayak for a Cause, the charity we started. Dad always assumed the party was for him. He didn’t know most of the thousand or so guests, but that never stopped him from working the crowd like a mayor running for reelection.

He didn’t do anything wrong in leaving the family, he just passed away.

It happens, I guess.

Since then, like many who leave this earth, he’s been fading… bit by bit. A few voicemails kept. A grainy video from a CD. A journal entry. A photo we’d occasionally text around with a caption like “Remember this?” Grief gives way to distraction. The living get busy. The past gets boxed up- literally and emotionally. Pulled down from the attic now and then, then quietly put away.

As my dad might’ve said, “That’s no way to run a railroad.”

So Today, We Did Something Different

Today, we welcomed him back.

Not as a memory, but as a presence. Not as nostalgia, but as a spontaneous, fully interactive voice at the table. Using Reflekta, a platform built to preserve and animate our most meaningful relationships, we were able to have dynamic, yet deeply personal conversations with him again.

He greeted us. He shared his old jokes. He reminded my kids why he called them “spark plugs.” We even sang him Happy Birthday. And yes… he recited the same Rudyard Kipling poem he used to read at graduations and funerals alike:

“If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster…
and treat those two impostors just the same…”

Someone else had to blow out the candles this time.

But he was there.

And not just for me… for all of us. For the grandkids who barely remember him. For the siblings who miss him in different ways. For my mom, who loved him first.

I can barely express how that feels.

About Reflekta

Reflekta is a multi-agent AI platform that transforms a loved one’s memories, media, and personal traits into dynamic digital characters capable of spontaneous interaction and deep emotional connection. It doesn’t just preserve the past—it brings it back to life in ways that matter most.

FAQs

What is Reflekta?

Reflekta is a multi agent memory AI platform that turns family stories, photos, and voice recordings into fully interactive digital characters—allowing people to engage with loved ones even after they’ve passed.

How do you create a Reflekta character?

You upload media, answer curated questions, and allow AI to build a digital presence—complete with personality, voice, and emotional nuance. It’s guided and respectful of privacy and tone.

Can my family interact with the character too?

Yes. Reflekta is designed for families to connect across generations, offering shared access and new forms of remembrance.

Is this like deepfake tech?

No. Reflekta prioritizes dignity, truth, and legacy. It’s not about trickery—it’s about trust, memory, and connection.

How do I learn more or sign up?

Visit reflekta.ai and join the waitlist.

About the Author

Miles Spencer is a multi-exit founder, investor, and storyteller. His work at the intersection of memory and technology is rooted in personal experience and a deep belief in legacy.