Sharing Stories

I had to sub today. We had so many people call in sick that our HR person was struggling to find enough substitutes to fill the vacancies.

I had a full plate of to-do's, but in the end I had to fill a middle school reading teacher's shoes.

The class assignment  consisted of reading a story from the student's "backpack readers." This slim book is filled with  short stories: fiction, non-fiction, and even a story told in graphic novel style. The kids, of course, turn and read that story first.

The chosen story was under a section called "Shared Stories." The narrator was an old woman who was recalling a somewhat painful memory associated with the family cabin on a lake.

I enjoyed discussing the story with the kids, who were engaged and quite insightful. When I asked,
"Why do older people share their stories, or memories with you?" The kids in every class answered promptly, "to teach us a lesson, so that we don't make the same mistake they did."
One person in sixth period added, "because the memories they share can be something fun and they want you to have the same fun experience."

Why do we share our stories? As I sat at dinner with my father this evening, I listened to him share a few stories with his granddaughter. He told her about dating my mother.  I had never heard this particular story, and we were both enthralled.

As I grow older I  worry that my own stories and memories are beginning to fade. I want to be sure to pass them on to my own children.

Our stories weave a rich tapestry created by generations of sharing  our own family folklore.