Author Gian Pagnucci writes in "Living the Narrative Life: Telling Your Own Story," how stories and memories from our past help shape us forever, and makes us who we are today. I agree with him. I absolutely believe without a shadow of a doubt that who I am and what I believe is a direct result from the experiences I had during my childhood. This realization took me back to the memory of my Grandmom, and how much love and affection she had for everyone, not just her family. Always smiling, she would do anything for anyone. She smothered us grandkids with wet kisses, let us change the tv channel, and always smelled of fragrant powder. I believe this memory has helped me to become the loving mother I am today. Memories also gave way to my parents' constant arguing, where confrontations and accusations resulted to many a sleepless night. To this day I hate any type of arguing, and I try to avoid all confrontation like the plague.
Pagnucci also states how our stories matter and we should want to record them, sharing them with the world. Luckily for me, I don't necessarily need to write them down. For some reason I have the best memory in the world when it comes to recalling the stories of my life. I remember so many stories! I remember people, places, events, dates, etc. One of my cousins always says that if you're ever in a reception line, I'm the one you want to be next to. In fact, I tell my children stories of my life all the time! If I am having a conversation with them or listening to one of their stories, nine times out of ten it will trigger a story from me. They actually wait for it. I'll say, "You know when I was little...." I have a story for just about anything. We laugh constantly. However, I believe through these stories they get a sense of who I am while taking a walk down memory lane.
Lastly, Pagnucci talks about how stories connect us to other people, and we have a responsibility to respond to those stories. Some of my stories are long and detailed. But as Pagnucci says, "some of the most treasured stories are the simplest." One of the simplest stories I treasure deeply is that of me and my Pop-Pop sitting on the steps on the side of my grandparent's house shucking corn on the cob. He took great pains to show me the correct way to shuck that ear of corn, making sure we painstakingly got all the silky hair off. While we did this he would often tell me his own stories. What made it even more special is that is was just us two. I was the only one who enjoyed doing this task. The rest of my cousins couldn't be bothered, instead they happily played tag among the apple, peach, and pear trees. I do have other great family stories regarding sleep overs, barbecues, and Christmas dinners. However, this simple story will always remain my favorite.
I enjoyed this reading very much, and will continue the art of storytelling throughout my years. I think it's a great way to preserve the past. One only has to look as far as their heart to remember. =)
Pagnucci also states how our stories matter and we should want to record them, sharing them with the world. Luckily for me, I don't necessarily need to write them down. For some reason I have the best memory in the world when it comes to recalling the stories of my life. I remember so many stories! I remember people, places, events, dates, etc. One of my cousins always says that if you're ever in a reception line, I'm the one you want to be next to. In fact, I tell my children stories of my life all the time! If I am having a conversation with them or listening to one of their stories, nine times out of ten it will trigger a story from me. They actually wait for it. I'll say, "You know when I was little...." I have a story for just about anything. We laugh constantly. However, I believe through these stories they get a sense of who I am while taking a walk down memory lane.
Lastly, Pagnucci talks about how stories connect us to other people, and we have a responsibility to respond to those stories. Some of my stories are long and detailed. But as Pagnucci says, "some of the most treasured stories are the simplest." One of the simplest stories I treasure deeply is that of me and my Pop-Pop sitting on the steps on the side of my grandparent's house shucking corn on the cob. He took great pains to show me the correct way to shuck that ear of corn, making sure we painstakingly got all the silky hair off. While we did this he would often tell me his own stories. What made it even more special is that is was just us two. I was the only one who enjoyed doing this task. The rest of my cousins couldn't be bothered, instead they happily played tag among the apple, peach, and pear trees. I do have other great family stories regarding sleep overs, barbecues, and Christmas dinners. However, this simple story will always remain my favorite.
I enjoyed this reading very much, and will continue the art of storytelling throughout my years. I think it's a great way to preserve the past. One only has to look as far as their heart to remember. =)
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