Stories....

As the years go by,I've been blessed to be around my elders in many families.I was a child whom loved to hear stories,all kinds of stories,wild ones,true ones and stories that I knew were wild tales.
My first stories I remember were my Grandma Clara VanDyke's stories.Some I would laugh till I teared,some put me on the edge of my seat!I'm sure some were tall tales,but I didn't care,it was Grandma telling them and I was drawn into them.
I remember Uncle Bob VanDyke(kind of the blacksheep of the family),he had the wildest stories that ever passed my ears!As far as Dad,Uncle Henry and Uncle Willis said,most were true!
I listened to all my VanDyke uncles tell of stories too,most were worth repeating.Mom and Dad had some great ones too!
We had elders that lived in our area when we were kids,I remember some of their stories,I'm sure alittle stretch to them,but still stories that captured a childs mind!
As the years passed I traveled alot of highway and countries and states,visiting alot of elder people on my way.
All had some stories,bits and pieces by some,a book by others.I was drawn in,ears perked up and soaking my mind up with all the words that came with these stories!
As I grow older in life,I decided to put some of my memories on paper with my pen,so they could be passed down to younger generations.I still have alot of work to do,but it will be finished and hopefully passed on to whom may be interested!
I have my own stories too,as do my brothers.
As putting this on paper,it brings me to a moment we had yesterday with my Mother In Law Doris.
We were visiting her and company was coming and going,but finally settled down to where people were just sitting and bringing up passed tales of things that happened in their lives.
Doris (Mom) sat there listening and laughing,sometimes bringing in a comment here and again,finally broke it with a few stories of her own.A few were jaw droppers,being it coming from her mouth(Doris is a very well reserved woman)..
We never laughed so hard in our lives!Stories of her as a child,some stories about her and Jim(Pa In Law).
As I repeat these stories and put them on paper,I always wished younger people would write stuff down after they visited their family elders,things like what kind of visit it was,the stories that were passed around during the visit,etc,etc........
I have a knack for remembering things like that,because they interested me,so I never forgot them.....
As the days and years come and go,remember your elders,visit them as often as you can,soak in their stories!
Stories will be remembered to be passed down to your kids,and their children to theirs.
I will never pass up a story or a visit because of a story that will be brought up about something,anything.
A smile will appear on my face,because I remembered a story someone told me long ago,or even just yesterday.
Some stories that I hear are just for my ears only,usually from one Vet too another,but still a story that I can keep in my memory,be it bad,sad or funny!
Don't put away memories because of what this world wants you to lead!The fast,the money,the deals for the day!
People make life so enjoyable,memories too.Let them pass it onto you...