To Be A Storyteller

Since I was just a young child I've envied the people who had the ability to capture an audience.  I loved that people hung on their every word, captivated by what might come next.  My dad is like that.  He doesn't talk very much, but when he does, everyone stops to listen.  He always has a joke to tell.  He is a well of knowledge and all things humorous.  I love that about my dad.  Maybe that's why I always wanted to be a good storyteller. 

I wasn't born with that talent.  I can't ever remember the punchline or the key point in the joke to make it funny.  I can't tell a good story because I forget too many details.  I love that some people have the natural talent to weave a story that draws you in and makes you feel like you are there living it as you hear it.  I always felt bad that I wasn't born with this talent and I coveted it greatly. 

My dad is a storyteller and a scriptorian.  He can pluck quotes out of his head from who knows where.  He ALWAYS has a new joke to share to lighten the mood.  We never heard, "Let's have the blessing," before meals at our house.  It was always something like, "What did one skunk say to the other?  Let us spray."  And then we knew it was time for the blessing.  :)  My mom is an artist with fabric and thread.  She designs her own quilts and hand sews everything on them.  Her quilts are true masterpieces.  One of my sisters like to be in plays.  She has even written and directed some productions for church and community plays.  She loves to host parties with lots of guests where she can be an entertainer.  I have another sister who has a sense of humor like my dad's.  She can keep you rolling on the floor with laughter for hours without even an ounce of effort on her part.  It just comes naturally to her and people love her sense of humor.  I have another sister who is an artist.  Her sketches are beautiful and she is a master gardener.  She even has the certificate to prove it.  She creates masterpieces out of plants and soil.  My baby sister has a natural talent for homemaking.  She remembers everyones birthday and hand makes cards and writes sweet notes to let you know she loves you.  She loves to cook, play with her kids, and decorate her house. 


Left to right:
Artist/Master Gardener, Me, Actress, Funny Lady, Homemaker
Back:  Dad, aka: Scriptorian/Funny Guy and Mom, aka: Artistic Seamstress/Quilter

It has taken me almost four decades to figure out what it is that I'm good at and what it is that gives me that joy and satisfaction for what I've accomplished.  I've always wanted to be that engaging vocal storyteller, but didn't quite have the natural talent for it.  It's hard for me.  I'm stiff and stuffy and I say "umm" a lot.  I trip over my tongue because my mouth can't keep up fast enough with the thoughts in my head.   

My sister started blogging at the end of 2007.  She convinced me that it would be a good way for me to keep a journal and scrapbook for my family.  I tried paper scrapbooking for a while.  I felt obligated to do that for my kids.  But I disliked (I almost said the "H" word!  phew!  That was close!) scrapbooking with a passion.  I even quit taking pictures of my kids for THREE YEARS because I disliked it so much.  I figured if I didn't have any pictures to scrapbook I wouldn't feel guilty about not doing it.  :)  Good reasoning, huh?  ummm.  no.  I regret every day of those three years that I don't have those pictures of my family.  :(

So I bit the bullet and started my family blog in January of 2008.  I had a slow start to blogging.  I felt awkward posting things about my family for the whole world to see.  I was afraid a crazy maniac stalker would find us and stab us in our beds someday because they saw us on my blog. (I know... but you hear terrible stories from paranoid people.)  My writing was choppy.  My pictures weren't that good.  I was inhibited.  And then, last year, I had an epiphany.  I realized that it was okay to be myself and to let my emotions guide my writing instead of just posting the documentary family scrapbook type stuff.  It was exhilarating and I felt myself move with it.  I've grown by leaps and bounds and I continue to improve with every post I write.  I've come to understand things about myself that I never had before.  But more than anything else - I have found my voice.  It comes easily for me and the words just seem to flow right out of my mind, through my fingertips, and onto the screen with very little effort.  I am able to vocalize myself through the written word unlike any way I possibly could with my voice.  I'm learning how to become the storyteller I've always had the desire to become.  It makes me feel free.  And happy.  Satisfied.  I have found immense joy through the expression of my heart and soul.  I'm so glad I didn't give up when I felt discouraged and insecure about my blogging.  It has taken me almost four years to figure this out.  It just helps me to understand that when we have a desire for good things in our lives, we will be blessed with a way to accomplish them.  I'm so grateful to Heavenly Father for helping me to see this.  He is kind and great and good.  And I love Him.