"I remember once…"

"Did I ever tell you about the time…"

And so a family story begins. Swings sway gently as rockers creak and voices rise and fall in the cadence of storytelling.

When I was growing up, my family shared stories on the front porch, after a fish fry in the back yard, or during the quiet time around the dining table after the dinner. My parents would tell us about their courtship in England during World War II when Dad was serving in the US Army Air Force and Mom was working as a Land Girl. They gave vivid descriptions of air raids and bombings. Mom told us how Dad would find rationed food to bring to her family; canned peaches were a special treat in those hard times.

Dad's stories were usually funny; I remember once he told us about how he'd dressed in his best uniform to visit Mom in her village, which was several miles from his base at Steeple Morden. He was riding a bicycle and missed a turn, landing in the middle of a duck pond. He didn't miss his date, even though he was soaking wet and smelled "just ducky."

The tradition of family storytelling is being lost as families seldom share an evening meal or quiet twilight time on the porch. Everyone has somewhere to be, something to do. Storytelling takes time, and times is a precious commodity these days.

We are all the poorer for not sharing our stories. Where else will children learn where they came from, how their ancestors came to live in a certain place, who went off to war and never returned? Where else can our elders share the heritage stored in their minds-- the stories of working with mules, traveling on immigrant ships, digging coal during the strike days, or managing a farm when the men were all away working for the WPA?

Children need to know their roots and to understand the values and mores of their community and family. Often a child feels that he or she is the only one to ever get in trouble; hearing parents and grandparents telling stories of their childhood mishaps allows children to see that people have been getting in trouble for generations and still grew up to be good folks.

Adults need stories too. Hearing stories of our childhood revives forgotten memories and deepens our appreciation of those who raised us and taught us to be who we are today.

Why not make an appointment with your busy family to share some stories? Get out some old photos and start the conversation. You might start with a simple statement like, "Did I ever tell you about my first grade teacher?" or "Tell me about the best day you've ever had." Once memory has been prompted, stand back and let the stories flow. You will be glad you took the time to share and listen.