Storytelling and the need to story tell.

Not stories that are written from someone else, but your stories.

I am not talking about stories about that one time you can’t remember what truly happened, but stories.

People are reading and writing more than anytime in human history, but they aren’t really saying a whole hell of a lot.

Blips.

You actually have to sit down at a table, a desk, a structure – and start writing either freehand or on a computer.

What kind of stories or legacy do you want to leave your children?

What about the house you live in, the land around you, your parents and your grandparents. There are lots of gaps and silences in our histories –

We have social media where there are mostly blips, and then the folks who choose to reject it altogether. What we still have is gaps and silences; lost stories.

The easiest way is to take an important or special picture, then write a few words, sentences, maybe a half-page on what these pictures are.

Start with “I remember.”

I remember we chose to go here because the rain stopped the day before, and we knew the sun would dry out the trails by midday and we could walk them and have a picnic at our favorite spot.

I remember we had brought your favorite: fried chicken. I brought rolls, mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli and carrots, and gravy mixed with whole milk because you liked it extra thick.

Then, out of know where you took a spoonful of broccoli – I didn’t say anything because I knew if I did you may put them back. Up until that point, “I don’t know if you remember, you hated the thought, the smell of broccoli.”

Then, suddenly you took the spoon and put three trees on your plate. I didn’t say a thing. I didn’t move my head but my eyes saw. You poured gravy over it and ate all the trees.

I remember later you said, “It was alright.” But, every day after that when we had broccoli you ate it – with gravy or cheese, but you ate it.

I remember when you turned thirteen you only put salt and pepper on your broccoli because the gravy or cheese had too much fat in it and you didn’t want to be fat.

Now your three trees turned in ten and now I was talking to the pediatrician on how not have you eat broccoli.

Remembering –

One of my favorite ways is to write in a letter form. Start with “Dear” and go from there.

Write from the present, but in reflection. Tie those two markers together, fill the gap, the silence.

Write about your parents and what they taught you and what you are choosing to leave behind – write both of them, and say why. Generations always want to know the how, but especially they want to know the why –

Think that your words are like the speed of light and how they travel faster than the speed of sound. Your words are the light. They create the experience – the sound, the reaction in your children and family’s lives.

Write your story.
Write your legacy.

One story I have been following all week is Josh Llewellyn-Jones. He is one of my hero’s; the other Elizabeth Peabody -must re-read The Peabody Sisters.

Back to Josh – remember the really good-looking guy from Europe who has CF. He has been training all year, all his life for the most difficult challenge.

The fundraiser and event is #5days4CF.

Challenge:

Swim 21 miles
Cycle 200 miles – ending at St. James Place in London.
Run 160 miles from London to Cardiff all with minimal rest in 5 days.

Throughout the week you see him just giving it his all. He leg, day, and feat.

He has the same mutation as me. He is 31 I believe, so a bit younger – but in awe. By the end, he writes, “I am in bits but we’ve raised over 20 pounds and it’s still climbing.”

What I find remarkable, beside his accomplishments, is that his family had the vision, forthright, or ability to let go of their fear –

When he was eleven years old he stopped doing his therapies. His doctor encouraged him to exercise as much as possible, and he played soccer and rugby endlessly.

I always wondered if he did or does nebs – even today.

He has been running all his life and he has met The Queen – can you imagine that.

His focus, determination, and physical and mental fortitude is just insane. He is an amazing individual, what can I say. Check him out on Instagram @joshlj24.

Stories – keep telling them; in full-length not in an ad where you forget before you click.

Honor your story – give it and your family the time.

I must write now. Sometimes my blog is the warm-up. Thanks for allowing me to share and for your eyes, thoughts, and time.

Much love.