You have a story. It is woven together with all things that make you, you. Your story is your past, your present, and your dreams. The thing about a story – your story – is that you are the only one who can tell it. When you do, and others read it and carry it with them, it is pure magic.
My story is about words and connecting. It started in a little grey house on 29 Lincoln Avenue in a small southern Indiana town. It sounds a little bit like this…
My mom could talk on the phone for hours. She would hold the mustard yellow receiver between her ear and her shoulder and chop vegetables. The cord was at least 25 feet long and it allowed her to go from the stove, to the sink, set the table and do a load or two of laundry, without having to set it down.
Her mother, my grandmother would rather get all gussied up and go visiting. She would put on red lipstick, add a silken flower to her hair, and jump in the car with my papaw. They always brought small gift on these visits – fresh green beans from the garden or several loaves of bread which were on sale that day at Aldi. She liked to talk at the kitchen table, drink coffee and eat pie.
Hattie, my mother’s grandmother was a letter writer. She sent cards and letters on pretty stationary that smelled like her Youth Dew perfume. Sometimes, she would tuck a $2.00 bill in those cards. She wrote almost every day, well into her late 80’s with soft ivory hands and words of grace that went right to your heart.
I pull out my Macbook Pro and write words, too. My words go cyber-fast all over the world in a matter of seconds. I don’t need to put on red lipstick or criss-cross the kitchen with a 25 foot telephone cord. I pick up my smart phone and Tweet or declare my status to the world. I blog. It is different, but yet it is the same, too. I connect. I talk. I share stories, just like they did.
Some people will say there is more romance in letter writing, or something special about a stop by on a Saturday afternoon visit. I think my great grandma would love what I do. After all, words are words whether they flow from a pen or a keyboard. The important part is to tell the story of our lives. I can’t imagine how my girls will share their words. I can assure you, they have lots to say. And I’ll make sure, they know they come from a long line of wordy women who paved the way for their stories to impact the world and beyond.
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Blogging for me is about storytelling. What are the parts of your story that need to be told?
I’d love to hear it, and I know others would, too.
More Preschool Blogger Diaries:
Thank you for your encouraging words on sharing our stories. Like you, I come from a long line of strong women who were/are great at reaching out to other people. I want to do the same and the blog is a great way to write. Hope you are having a great vacation!
What a beautiful heritage Melissa! So glad you stopped by!
I absolutely love this post!
Thanks Heather! I kinda like this one, too! Makes me miss my Grandmas!!!
Perfect! It isn’t about media, it’s about reaching out and connecting and communicating!!!
Yes, that is what I think Roxanne! I that blogging let’s us share stories with each other so easily!
Beautiful post. I love to hear others reminisce about their families and memories. Your words are so lovely. Glad I’ve found your story-telling blog!
I could just SEE your mom cooking, cleaning etc while talking on the old fashioned phone I used to do the same thing in fact when our children were little they would be naughty just far enough away that I could not reach them. BUT if I said ‘just a minute I need to take care of some children’ look out… they would run for the hills. This is a wonderful post. I like it alot. Such story telling…while one is reading it. Great job.
Oh we knew we were in trouble when she put that phone down! Love that Sharon! Thanks for your sweet words!